PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids, and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding PAAD-domain containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, including fragments containing PAAD domains, NB-ARC domains and LRR domains, encoded polypeptides, and antibodies. Also provided are methods of identifying polypeptides and agents that associate with a PAAD-domain containing polypeptide or fragment thereof, or that alter an association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. Further provided are methods of identifying agents that modulate PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity, or modulate an activity of an NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Also provided are methods of modulating NFκB transcriptional activity in a cell, and methods of altering expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/______(yet to be assigned), filed Sep. 26, 2000, which was converted from U.S. Ser. No. 09/671,760, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention was made in part with United States Government support under grant number NIH GM60049 and GM61694 awarded by the National Institutes of Health and NSF DBI-0078731 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Filed of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates generally to the fields of molecular biology and molecular medicine and more specifically to the identification of proteins involved in programmed cell death, cytokine processing and receptor signal transduction, and associations of these proteins.

[0005] 2. Background Information

[0006] Programmed cell death is a physiologic process that ensures homeostasis is maintained between cell production and cell turnover in essentially all self-renewing tissues. In many cases, characteristic morphological changes, termed “apoptosis,” occur in a dying cell. Since similar changes occur in different types of dying cells, cell death appears to proceed through a common pathway in different cell types.

[0007] In addition to maintaining tissue homeostasis, apoptosis also occurs in response to a variety of external stimuli, including growth factor deprivation, alterations in calcium levels, free-radicals, cytotoxic lymphokines, infection by some viruses, radiation and most chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, apoptosis is an inducible event that likely is subject to similar mechanisms of regulation as occur, for example, in a metabolic pathway. In this regard, dysregulation of apoptosis also can occur and is observed, for example, in some types of cancer cells, which survive for a longer time than corresponding normal cells, and in neurodegenerative diseases where neurons die prematurely. In viral infections, induction of apoptosis can figure prominently in the pathophysiology of the disease process, because immune-based eradication of viral infections depend on elimination of virus-producing host cells by immune cell attack resulting in apoptosis.

[0008] Some of the proteins involved in programmed cell death have been identified and associations among some of these proteins have been described. However, additional apoptosis regulating proteins remain to be found and the mechanisms by which these proteins mediate their activity remains to be elucidated. The identification of the proteins involved in cell death and an understanding of the associations between these proteins can provide a means for manipulating the process of apoptosis in a cell and, therefore, selectively regulating the relative lifespan of a cell or its relative resistance to cell death stimuli.

[0009] The identification of new proteins or new domains within known proteins, and the elucidation of the proteins with which they interact, therefore, can form the basis for strategies designed to alter apoptosis, cytokine production, cytokine receptor signaling, and other cellular processes. Thus, a need exists to identify novel apoptosis-related domains within both novel and known proteins. The present invention satisfies this need and provides additional advantages as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding PAAD-domain containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, including fragments containing PAAD domains, NB-ARC domains and LRR domains. Also provided are vectors containing such nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. Also provided are oligonucleotides therefrom and methods of identifying nucleic acid molecules encoding a PAAD-containing polypeptide in a sample using such oligonucleotides.

[0011] Also provided are isolated PAAD-domain containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, including fragments containing PAAD domains, NB-ARC domains and LRR domains, and peptides therefrom.

[0012] The invention further provides antibodies that can specifically bind to PAAD-domain containing polypeptides, and methods of detecting PAAD-domain containing polypeptides in a sample using such antibodies.

[0013] Also provided is a method of identifying a polypeptide that associates with a PAAD-domain containing polypeptide or fragment thereof, including fragments containing PAAD domains, NB-ARC domains and LRR domains. The method is practiced by contacting a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment with a candidate PAAD domain-containing polypeptide-associated polypeptide (PAP), and detecting association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment with the candidate PAP, wherein a candidate PAP that associates with the polypeptide is identified as a PAP.

[0014] The invention also provides a method of identifying an effective agent that alters the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment with a PAP. The method is practiced by contacting a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or a PAAD, NB-ARC or LRR domain therefrom, and the PAP under conditions that allow the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment and the PAP to associate, with a candidate agent, and detecting the altered association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or domain with the PAP, wherein an agent that alters the association is identified as an effective agent.

[0015] Further provided is a method for identifying an agent that associates with a PAAD-domain containing polypeptide or fragment therefrom, including a fragment containing a PAAD domain, NB-ARC domain or LRR domains. The method is practiced by contacting the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment with a candidate agent and detecting association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with the agent.

[0016] Also provided is a method of identifying an agent that modulates PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity. The method is practiced by contacting a cell that recombinantly expresses a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a candidate agent and detecting NFκB activity in the cell. Increased or decreased NFκB activity in the cell compared to a control cell indicates that the candidate agent is an agent that modulates PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity.

[0017] Further provided is a method of identifying an agent that modulates an activity of a NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. The method is practiced by contacting an NB-ARC domain-containing polypeptide with a candidate agent and detecting an activity of the NB-ARC domain, wherein an increase or decrease of the activity identifies the agent as an agent that modulates the activity of the NB-ARC domain. The detected activity of the NB-ARC domain can be selected from homo-oligomerization, hetero-oligomerization, nucleotide hydrolysis, and nucleotide binding.

[0018] Further provided is a method of modulating NFκB transcriptional activity in a cell. The method is practiced by introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide into a cell and expressing the nucleic acid molecule in the cell, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid modulates NFκB transcriptional activity in the cell.

[0019] The invention also provides a method of decreasing expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell, by introducing an antisense or dsRNA nucleic molecule into a cell, wherein the antisense or dsRNA nucleic molecule binds to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020]FIG. 1 shows that multiple alignment using the CLUSTAL W program (Higgins et al. Nuc. Acid Res. 22:4673-4680 (1995)) of the aligned part of selected members of the PAAD family from humans. NCBI gi accession numbers are included. The “sec_str” line shows secondary structure prediction made for pyrin using the PHD program (Rost et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 10:53-60 (1994)).

[0021]FIG. 2 shows the evolutionary tree showing the relationship between selected members of the PAAD family of proteins from humans and viruses. The tree was built using the CLUSTALW program. Proteins containing NB-ARC (NACHT) NTP-ase domains as well as PAAD domains (NAC and PAN1-6) are shown in grey.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows a schematic (not to scale) representation of domain arrangement in proteins containing a PAAD domain.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows a model of the PAAD domain built on the template of the Death Effector Domain from FADD protein (PDB code: 1a1z), using the FFAS alignment and the Modeller program (Sali et al, J. Mol. Biol. 234:779-815 (1993)). Some motifs identified in the sequence analyses of the PAAD family stand out as surface features that may be responsible for biological activity of these domains. A notable feature is the conserved Lys-Phe-Lys motif, that according to this model, is found on the protein surface, in helix 2. Positively charged residues from this motif, together with other charged residues from another, less conserved motif in helix 5, form a positively charged surface of the predicted protein that may be important for inter-molecule interaction. These residues are shown in the ball-and-stick representation.

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a luciferase reporter assay in which NFκB transcription activity was determined in cells transfected with NIK, IKKα or IKKβ and either an empty vector or the indicated amounts of a vector expressing PAN2.

[0025]FIG. 6 shows a protein interaction assay in which vectors expressing Myc-tagged PAN2, or Myc-tagged domains of PAN2 as indicated, and either Flag-tagged IkBα or Flag-tagged empty vector, were co-transfected into 293T cells. The lysates were immunoprecipitated with an anti-Flag antibody and blotted with either an anti-Myc or an anti-Flag antibody.

[0026]FIG. 7 shows a luciferase reporter assay in which NFκB transcriptional activity was determined in cells transfected with Bcl10 (A), contacted with TNFα (B), contacted with IL-1β (C), or transfected with Bcl10, Nod1 or Cardiak (D), and further transfected with either an empty vector (CNTR), or vectors expressing ASC, domains therefrom, or ASC2, as indicated.

[0027]FIG. 8 shows an immunoblot in which the expression of TRAF1 and TRAF2 was examined in cells transfected with the indicated expression vectors and either stimulated with TNF or unstimulated. The expression of Tubulin was determined as a control.

[0028]FIG. 9 shows the amount of interleukin-1β secreted from 293N or Cos-7 cells transfected with the indicated expression vectors.

[0029]FIG. 10 shows caspase activity, indicated by the cleavage of the fluorogenic substrate Ac-DEVD-AFC over time in cells transfected with the indicated expression vectors. c/a indicates that the caspase is an active site mutant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In accordance with the present invention, there are provided PAAD domain-containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, encoding nucleic acid molecules, and related compositions and methods. The “PAAD domain” is an 80-100 residue domain named after the protein families in which it was first identified: pyrin, AIM (Absent-in-melanoma), ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain), and death domain (DD)-like. The terms “PAAD” and “PACS” (for identified in Pyrin, AIM, Caspase, and Speck-like protein) are synonymous. Secondary structural predictions identify the PAAD domain as mostly helical (see FIG. 1). The PAAD domain has the predicted tertiary structure shown in FIG. 4, identifying PAAD as a member of the Death Domain (DD), Death Effector Domain (DED), Caspase Recruitment Domain (CARD) family. PAAD domains have been identified at the N-terminus of several different proteins involved in apoptosis, cancer, inflammation and immune responses, as described herein (see FIG. 1).

[0031] Protein-protein interactions influence the activity of various proteins involved in apoptosis. Several protein interaction domains have been implicated in interactions among some apoptosis-regulating proteins. In accordance with the present invention, the PAAD domain has been identified at the N-terminus of the recently identified caspase-homologous gene from zebrafish (Inohara et al., Cell Death Differ, 7:509-510 (2000)), suggesting the involvement of the PAAD domain in apoptosis. In this protein, the PAAD domain occupies a position corresponding to the prodomain, which in other caspase genes is occupied by a CARD (caspase recruitment domain) or a DED (death effector domain) domain. Thus, it is contemplated herein that the PAAD domain functions as a death domain in apoptosis. Accordingly, methods are provided herein for identifying PAAD domain binding agents that modulate apoptotic activity.

[0032] As disclosed herein, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides bind proteins through their PAAD domains, including other PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, IKAP, Nodl, Cardiak, NIK and IKK-i.

[0033] Accordingly, methods are provided herein for identifying PAAD domain-associating proteins, and for identifying compounds that disrupt the interaction between the PAAD domain and PAAD domain-associating proteins.

[0034] As disclosed herein, expression of the PAAD domain of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides is able to specifically modulate the induction of NFκB activity by various stimuli. NFκB is the collective name for inducible dimeric transcription factors composed of members of the Rel family of DNA-binding proteins that recognize a common sequence motif. NFκB is sequestered in the cytoplasm of resting cells through its association with an inhibitory protein called IκB. When stimulated by a variety of extracellular modulators, including the proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1, T- and B-cell mitogens, bacteria, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), viruses, viral proteins, double stranded RNA, and physical and chemical stresses, a cascade of adaptor proteins and protein kinases is activated, leading to phosphorylation of IκB by the IκB kinases α and β (IKKα/β). IκB phosphorylation leads to its ubiquitination, which targets the protein for rapid degradation by the 26S proteasome. The degradation of IκB exposes the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of NFκB, resulting in NFκB translocation to the nucleus and activation.

[0035] Active NFκB regulates the transcription of a large number of genes, including those involved in immune and inflammatory responses such as immunoreceptors, cell adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines. NFκB also plays an important role in the antiviral response through interferon gene induction. Through adaptation, many viruses that do not cause interferon induction exploit NFκB to activate their own genes and to stimulate the survival and proliferation of lymphoid cells in which they replicate.

[0036] NFκB can have either positive and negative effects on cellular apoptosis depending on the cell type, apoptotic stimulus, and timing of NFκB activation. NFκB regulates the transcription of a variety of genes involved in blocking apoptosis, including cellular inhibitor of apopotosis (cIAP)-1, cIAP-2, TRAF1, TRAF2, superoxide dismutase (SOD), A20, and the Bcl-2 homolog Bfl-l/A1.

[0037] Inappropriate regulation of NFκB is involved in a wide range of human disorders, including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, ataxia-telangiectasia, arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and numerous other inflammatory conditions (see Karin et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol. 18:621-663 (2000), and references therein). Activation of NFκB also correlates with resistance to apoptosis induced by cancer therapeutic agents.

[0038] Accordingly, methods are provided herein to identify agents that modulate, either positively or negatively, the PAAD domain-mediated modulation of NFκB activation. Such agents can thus be used to regulate inflammatory responses, immune responses (including autoimmune responses), apoptosis, and other processes mediated at least in part by NF κB activity.

[0039] Further, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are contemplated herein as influencing a variety of cellular and biochemical processes beyond apoptosis, including cell adhesion, inflammation and cytokine receptor signaling, and responses to viruses and infectious agents.

[0040] Exemplary invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides include a family of proteins that in addition to a PAAD domain, contain a domain similar to the recently identified NB-ARC (NACHT) NTP-ase family (Koonin et al., Trends Biochem Sci, 25:223-224 (2000)) (see FIG. 3). The NACHT domain has been implicated in nucleotide binding, oligomerization, and nucleotide (e.g. ATP and/or GTP) hydrolysis. This family of proteins is referred to herein as PAAD and Nucleotide-binding (“PAN”) proteins. The amino acid sequence of the PAAD domains of PAN1 through PAN6 are set forth in FIG. 1 and as SEQ ID NOS:1-6, respectively.

[0041] The sequences of PAN2-6 cDNAs and encoded polypeptides are set forth as follows: PAN2: SEQ ID NOS:15 and 16; PAN3: SEQ ID NOS:17 and 18; PAN4: SEQ ID NOS:19 and 20; PANS: SEQ ID NOS:21 and 22; PAN6: SEQ ID NOS:23 and 24.

[0042] Other invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides include pyrin2 and human ASC2, whose PAAD domain sequences are set forth in FIG. 1 and as SEQ ID NOS:8 and 10, respectively. The sequences of pyrin2 cDNA and encoded polypeptide are set forth as SEQ ID NOS:25 and 26. A 719 residue open reading frame from chromosome 1, which is identical over the N-terminal 41 amino acids with SEQ ID NO:26, has been identified and deposited as gi:14731966 (SEQ ID NOS:58 and 59). Accordingly, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can contain the first 41 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26, and can optionally further comprise the amino acid sequence designated SEQ ID NO:59.

[0043] The sequences of ASC2 cDNA and encoded polypeptide are set forth as SEQ ID NOS:27 and 28. ASC2 is an 89-residue protein containing only the PAAD domain.

[0044] In accordance with the present invention, the PAAD domain has also been identified in the N-terminal part of “Absent in Melanoma-2” (AIM2) and several closely homologous human and murine proteins, such as interferon-inducible genes IFI16 and MNDA (DeYoung et al., Oncoqene, 15:453-457 (1997) (see FIG. 1; SEQ ID NOS:12 and 13). Proteins from this family were characterized as containing one or more copies of a conserved 200-residue domain, implicated in transcription repression (Johnstone et al., J. Biol Chem. 273:17172-17177 (1998). The N-terminal part of AIM2 and related homologous proteins, containing the invention PAAD domain was not functionally analyzed, with two exceptions. In MNDA protein, it was shown that the N-terminal domain is partly responsible for homodimerization (Xie et al., FEBS Lett. 408:151-155 (1997). In IFI16, DNA-binding was attributed to a 159-residue long N-terminal segment (Dawson et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 214:152-162 (1995)). There are also two viral proteins homologous to the interferon-inducible MNDA/IFI16 family, (M013L from myxoma virus and gp013L from rabbit fibroma virus), that contain an invention PAAD domain. The PAAD domain of M013L is shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:14).

[0045] In accordance with the present invention, a PAAD domain has also been identified in the N-terminus of the ASC protein (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) (Masumoto et al., J. Biol Chem, 274:33835-33838 (1999)) (see FIG. 1; SEQ ID NO:9). The ASC protein was identified by characteristic dot-like aggregates (specks) which were present in cells during apoptosis triggered by retinolic acid and other anti-cancer drugs (Masumoto et al., supra (1999)). The C-terminal half of the speck protein contains an easily recognizable CARD domain, while the N-terminal half has now been found to be occupied by an invention PAAD domain.

[0046] One of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, PAN6 (SEQ ID NO:24), allowed an independent and unambigous connection between the pyrin/ASC/caspase and the AIM2/IFI16 branches of the family. Three iterations of a standard PSI-BLAST search against the NCBI nr database starting from this putative domain pulled out, among others, pyrin and AIM2, with E-values of le-23 and le-18, respectively.

[0047] The average sequence similarity between different branches of the PAAD domain protein family is approximately 25% of sequence identity (see FIG. 1). However, clear amino acid regions of strong sequence similarity are conserved throughout the PAAD domain family of proteins.

[0048] Accordingly, in one embodiment, invention PAAD domains comprise the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -KFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:29), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F. This motif has been found to be present in the N-terminal half of the majority of invention PAAD domains (see, e.g., FIG. 1).

[0049] In another embodiment, invention PAAD domains are also contemplated herein comprising the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -KLKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:30), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, invention PAAD domains are also contemplated herein comprising the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -RFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:31), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, invention PAAD domains are also contemplated herein comprising the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -RFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:32), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, invention PAAD domains are also contemplated herein comprising the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -KFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:33), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0053] In still another embodiment, invention PAAD domains are also contemplated herein comprising the following amino acid consensus sequence motif -KFKX₁X₂I- (SEQ ID NO:34), where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0054] Accordingly, there are provided PAAD domain-containing polypeptides comprising an amino acid consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0055] -KFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:29);

[0056] -KLKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:30);

[0057] -RFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:31);

[0058] -RFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:32);

[0059] -KFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:33); and

[0060] -KFKX₁X₂I- (SEQ ID NO:34);

[0061] where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, X₁ is selected from amino acids F, M, L, Y, E, H, Q and S, and X₂ is preferably selected from amino acids K, H, L, Y and F.

[0062] PAAD domains can be present in an invention polypeptide fragment or chimeric protein in conjunction with other types of functional domains, thus providing a mechanism for bringing one or more functional domains into close proximity or contact with a target protein via PAAD:PAAD associations involving two PAAD-containing polypeptides. For example, the PAAD domains of invention PAN proteins (e.g., PAN-1 through PAN6) allows invention PAN proteins to self-associate forming homo- or hetero-oligimers, thereby forming an oligomeric complex which brings proteins associated with PAN proteins into close proximity to each other. Because some PAAD domain-containing proteins also contain a CARD domain, exemplary proteins that are contemplated for association with invention PAN proteins are pro-caspases. Because most pro-caspases possess at least a small amount of protease activity even in their unprocessed form, the assembly of a complex that brings the proforms of caspase into juxtaposition can result in trans-processing of zymogens, producing the proteolytically processed and active caspase. Thus, invention PAN proteins can employ a PAAD domain for self-oligomerization and a CARD domain for binding a pro-caspase, resulting in caspase clustering, proteolytic processing and activation. In addition to the ability to activate caspases, PAAD domains are contemplated herein as being able to inhibit caspases.

[0063] In addition to their role in regulation of cell death and cell proliferation, PAAD domains can regulate other cellular processes. A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can, for example, induce activation of the transcription factor NF-kB. Though caspase activation resulting from PAAD domain interactions can be involved in inducing apoptosis, other caspases can be primarily involved in proteolytic processing and activation of inflammatory cytokines (such as pro-IL-1b and pro-IL-18). Thus, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can also be involved in cytokine receptor signaling, cytokine production and cJun N-terminal kinase activation, and, therefore, can be involved in regulation of immune and inflammatory responses.

[0064] In view of the function of the PAAD domain within the invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides or functional fragments thereof, polypeptides of the invention are contemplated herein for use in methods to alter cellular and biochemical processes such as apoptosis, NF-kB induction, cytokine processing, cytokine receptor signaling, caspase-mediated proteolysis, or cJun N-terminal kinase activation, thus having modulating effects on cell life and death (i.e., apoptosis), inflammation, cell adhesion, or other cellular or biochemical processes.

[0065] Invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides or functional fragments thereof are also contemplated in methods to identify PAAD domain binding agents and PAAD-associated polypeptides (PAPs) that alter apoptosis, NF-kB induction, cytokine processing, cytokine receptor signaling, caspase-mediated proteolysis, or cJun N-terminal kinase activation, thus having modulating effects on cell life and death (i.e., apoptosis), inflammation, cell adhesion, or other cellular or biochemical processes.

[0066] It is also contemplated herein that invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can associate with other PAAD domain-containing polypeptides to form invention hetero-oligomers or homo-oligomers, such as heterodimers or homodimers. In particular, the association of the PAAD domain of invention polypeptides with another PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, such as those identified herein, including homo-oligomerization, is sufficiently specific such that the bound complex can form in vivo in a cell or in vitro under suitable conditions. Similarly therefore, an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can associate with another PAAD domain-containing polypeptide by PAAD:PAAD interaction to form invention hetero-oligomers or homo-oligomers, such as heterodimers or homodimers.

[0067] In addition to PAAD domains, an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can contain a variety of additional domains including a CARD domain, a NB-ARC domain, a LRR domain, a caspase protease domain, or other recognized domains (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can exhibit one or more of the biological activities characteristic of known CARD domain-, NB-ARC domain-, LRR domain-, or caspase domain-containing polypeptides.

[0068] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that contains a caspase recruitment domain, or CARD domain (e.g. ASC; FIG. 3), can associate with pro-caspases, caspases or with caspase-associated proteins, thereby altering caspase proteolytic activity.

[0069] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that contains a caspase protease domain (e.g. zebrafish caspase; FIG. 3) can hydrolyze amide bonds, particularly the amide bond of a peptide or polypeptide backbone. Typically, a caspase protease domain contains a P20/P10 domain in the active site region of the caspase protease domain. Thus, a caspase protease domain has proteolytic activity.

[0070] Caspase proteolytic activity is associated with apoptosis of cells, and additionally with cytokine production. As used herein a “caspase” is any member of the cysteine aspartyl proteases. A “pro-caspase” is an inactive or less-active precursor form of a caspase, which is typically converted to the more active caspase form by a proteolytic event, often a preceded by a protein:protein interaction, such as an interaction with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0071] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that contains a NB-ARC domain (such as a PAN, or NAC; FIG. 3) can associate with other polypeptides, particularly with polypeptides comprising NB-ARC domains. Thus, an NB-ARC domain of an invention PAN associates with NB-ARC domain-containing polypeptides by way of NB-ARC:NB-ARC association. Further, a NB-ARC domain demonstrates both nucleotide-binding (e.g., ATP-binding) and hydrolytic activities, which is typically required for its ability to associate with NB-ARC domain-containing polypeptides. Thus, an NB-ARC domain of an invention PAN protein comprises one or more nucleotide binding sites. As used herein, a nucleotide binding site is a portion of a polypeptide that specifically binds a nucleotide such as, e.g., ADP, ATP, and the like. Typically, the nucleotide binding site of NB-ARC will comprise a P-loop, a kinase 2 motif, or a kinase 3a motif of the invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide (these motifs are defined, for example, in van der Biezen and Jones, Curr. Biol. 8:R226-R227 (1998)). Preferably, the nucleotide binding site of the NB-ARC of an invention PAN protein comprises a P-loop. The NB-ARC domain of the an invention PAN, therefore, is capable of associating with other NB-ARC domains in homo- or hetero-oligormerization. Additionally, the NB-ARC domain is characterized by nucleotide hydrolysis activity, which can influence the ability of an NB-ARC domain to associate with another NB-ARC domain. In accordance with the present invention, functional fragments of PAN proteins comprising NB-ARC domains are provided.

[0072] The amino acid sequences of NB-ARC domains of PAN2, 3, 5 and 6 are set forth as follows: PAN2, SEQ ID NO:37, corresponding to amino acids 147-465 of SEQ ID NO:16; PAN3, SEQ ID NO:60, corresponding to amino acids 196-512 of SEQ ID NO:18; PANS, SEQ ID NO:62, corresponding to amino acids 93-273 of SEQ ID NO:22; and PAN6, SEQ ID NO:63, corresponding to amino acids 183-372 of SEQ ID NO:24. The skilled person can readily determine the NB-ARC domain amino acid sequences from other invention PAN polypeptides.

[0073] An invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, such as a PAN, therefore, is capable of PAAD:PAAD association and/or NB-ARC:NB-ARC association, resulting in a multifunctional polypeptide capable of one or more specific associations with other polypeptides.

[0074] As used herein, the term “associate” or “association” refers to binding that is sufficiently specific such that a bound complex can form in vivo in a cell or in vitro under suitable conditions.

[0075] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can also contain a Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) domain (e.g. PAN2, PAN3, PAN6, NAC; see FIG. 3). Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are 22-28 amino acid-long leucine rich sequence motifs found in cytoplasmic, membrane and extracellular proteins, including the mammalian Ced4 proteins Nodl (Inohara et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:14560-14567 (1999)) and DEFCAP, Hlaing et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:9230-9238 (2001), NAC (Chu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:9239-9245 (2001), and Toll-like receptors (Takeuchi et al., Gene 231:59-65 (1999)). The biological activities of LRR domains can include, for example, protein-protein interactions that regulate signal transduction and cell adhesion; assisting in formation of large, multiprotein complexes; and binding molecules produced by pathogens (e.g. lipids, RNA, proteins, DNA). For example, other LRR-containing proteins are known to bind bacterial lipopolysaccharide (e.g. TLR4 and Nodl/2), CpG DNA (e.g. TLR9), the bacterial protein flagellin (e.g. TLR5), and steroids (e.g. plant LRRs) (see, for example, Fumitaka et al., Nature 410:1099-1103 (2001); Aderem et al., Nature 406:782-787 (2000); and Beutler, Immunity 15;5-14 (2001)). In accordance with the present invention, functional fragments of PAN proteins comprising LRR domains are provided.

[0076] The amino acid sequences of the LRR domains of PAN2, 3 and 6 are set forth as follows: PAN2, SEQ ID NO:39, corresponding to amino acids 620-995 of SEQ ID NO:16; PAN3, SEQ ID NO:61, corresponding to amino acids 658 through the C-terminus of SEQ ID NO:18; and PAN6, SEQ ID NO:64, corresponding to amino acids 429-1031 of SEQ ID NO:24. The skilled person can readily determine the LRR domain amino acid sequences from other invention PAN polypeptides.

[0077] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can also contain an “ANGIO-R” domain. An ANGIO-R domain is a region of a polypeptide chain that bears substantial similarity (e.g. 25, 30, 40% or higher sequence identity) to a portion of the 514-residue long protein “angiotensin II/vasopressin receptor” (described in Ruiz-Opazo et al., Nature Med. 1:1074-1081 (1995)).

[0078] The amino acid sequence of the ANGIO-R domain of PAN2 is set forth as SEQ ID NO:38, corresponding to amino acids 336-605 of SEQ ID NO:16.

[0079] An invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can alter cell processes such as apoptosis For example, it is contemplated herein that an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can increase apoptosis in a cell. It is also contemplated herein that an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. For example, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide which does not induce apoptosis may form hetero-oligomers with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide which is apoptotic, thus interfering with its apoptosis-inducing activity.

[0080] In one embodiment, the invention provides PAAD domain-containing polypeptides comprising substantially the same, or the same, amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28, and fragments therefrom, including PAAD, NB-ARC and LRR domain-containing fragments.

[0081] As employed herein, the term “substantially the same amino acid sequence” refers to amino acid sequences having at least about 70% or 75% identity with respect to the reference amino acid sequence and retaining comparable functional and biological activity characteristic of the polypeptide defined by the reference amino acid sequence. Preferably, polypeptides having “substantially the same amino acid sequence” will have at least about 80%, 82%, 84%, 86% or 88%, more preferably 90%, 91%, 92%, 93% or 94% amino acid identity with respect to the reference amino acid sequence; with greater than about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% amino acid sequence identity being especially preferred. It is recognized, however, that polypeptides containing less than the described levels of sequence identity arising as splice variants or that are modified by conservative amino acid substitutions, or by substitution of degenerate codons are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

[0082] The term “biologically active” or “functional”, hen used herein as a modifier of invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, functional fragments thereof, or chimeric proteins, refers to a polypeptide that exhibits functional characteristics similar to at least a portion of a naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing protein. Biological activities of a naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing protein include, for example, the ability to bind, preferably in vivo, to a nucleotide, to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, to a CARD-containing polypeptide, to a NB-ARC-containing polypeptide, to a LRR-containing polypeptide or to homo-oligomerize, or to alter protease activation, particularly caspase activation, or to catalyze reactions such as proteolysis or nucleotide hydrolysis, or to alter NF-kB activity, or to alter cJun N-terminal kinase activity, or to alter apoptosis, cytokine processing, cytokine receptor signaling, inflammation, immune response, or other biological activities described herein. Another biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is the ability to act as an immunogen for the production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0083] A further biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is the ability to modulate the NFκB transcriptional activity induced by a variety of stimuli, including activators of the TNFα and IL-1β signaling pathways (see Examples). The PAAD domain is sufficient for this activity.

[0084] The ability of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to bind another polypeptide such as a PAAD-associated polypeptide can be assayed using in vitro or in vivo methods. For example, methods well known in the art such as yeast two-hybrid assays, co-immunoprecipitation, GST fusion co-purification, GST pull-down assays, and other methods provided in standard technique manuals such as Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview, N.Y. (1989) and , Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2000) can be used.

[0085] As used herein, the term “substantially purified” means a polypeptide that is in a form that is relatively free from contaminating lipids, polypeptides, nucleic acids or other cellular material normally associated with the polypeptide. A substantially purified PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be obtained by a variety of methods well-known in the art, e.g., recombinant expression systems described herein, precipitation, gel filtration, ion-exchange, reverse-phase and affinity chromatography, and the like. Other well-known methods are described in Deutscher et al., “Guide to Protein Purification” Methods in Enzymology Vol. 182, (Academic Press, (1990)). The methods and conditions for biochemical purification of a polypeptide of the invention can be chosen by those skilled in the art, and purification monitored, for example, by an immunological assay, binding assay, or a functional assay.

[0086] In addition to the ability of invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, or functional fragments thereof, to interact with other, heterologous proteins (e.g. other PAAD domain-, LRR domain- or NB-ARC domain-containing polypeptides), invention PAAD-containing polypeptides have the ability to self-associate to form invention homo-oligomers such as homodimers. This self-association is possible through interactions between PAAD domains, and also through interactions between CARD domains or NB-ARC domains. Further, self-association can take place as a result of interactions between LRR domains.

[0087] In accordance with the invention, there are also provided mutations of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides which have activity different than a predominant naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing polypeptide activity. As used herein, a “mutation” can be any deletion, insertion, or change of one or more amino acids within the predominant naturally occurring protein sequence (e.g., wild-type), and a “fragment” is any truncated form, either carboxy-terminal, amino-terminal, or both, of the predominant naturally occurring protein. Preferably, the different activity of the mutation or fragment is a result of the mutant polypeptide or fragment maintaining some but not all of the activities of the respective predominant naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0088] For example, a functional fragment of an invention protein can contain one or more of the following: a PAAD domain, an NB-ARC domain, a LRR domain or an ANGIO-R domain. In a specific example, a functional fragment of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide such as a PAN can contain a PAAD domain and LRR domain, but lack a functional NB-ARC domain. Such a fragment will maintain a portion of the predominant naturally occurring PAN activity (e.g., PAAD domain functionality), but not all such activities (e.g., lacking an active NB-ARC domain). The resultant fragment will therefore have an activity different than the predominant naturally occurring PAN activity. In another example, a functional fragment of a PAN protein might have only the NB-ARC domain, allowing it to interact with other NB-ARC domain proteins in forming homo-oligomers or hetero-oligomers. Thus, a functional fragment of a PAAD domain-containing protein or polypeptide is not required to contain a functional PAAD domain, but only to contain a functional domain from a naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing protein. In one embodiment, the activity of the fragment will be “dominant-negative.” A dominant-negative activity will allow the fragment to reduce or inactivate the activity of one or more isoforms of a predominant naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0089] Methods to identify additional invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof are well known in the art and are disclosed herein. For example, genomic or cDNA libraries, including universal cDNA libraries can be probed according to methods disclosed herein or other methods known in the art. Full-length polypeptide-encoding nucleic acids such as full-length cDNAs can be obtained by a variety of methods well-known in the art. For example, 5′ and 3′ RACE, methodology is well known in the art and described in Ausubel et al., supra, and the like.

[0090] In another embodiment of the invention, chimeric proteins are provided comprising a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof, fused with another protein or functional fragment thereof. Functional fragments of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide include, for example, NB-ARC, LRR, and ANGIO-R domains or other fragments that retain a biological activity of an invention containing polypeptide. Polypeptides with which the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or functional fragment thereof are fused can include, for example, glutathione-S-transferase, an antibody, or other proteins or functional fragments thereof which facilitate recovery of the chimera. Further polypeptides with which a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or functional fragment thereof are fused can include, for example, luciferase, green fluorescent protein, an antibody, or other proteins or functional fragments thereof which facilitate identification of the chimera. Still further polypeptides with which a PAAD-containing polypeptide or functional fragment thereof are fused will include, for example, the LexA DNA binding domain, ricin, α-sarcin, an antibody or fragment thereof, or other polypeptides which have therapeutic properties or other biological activity.

[0091] Further invention chimeric proteins contemplated herein are chimeric proteins wherein a functional fragment of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is fused with a catalytic domain or a protein interaction domain from a heterologous polypeptide. For example, chimeric proteins can contain a functional fragment of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention fused with a domain of a protein known in the art, such as CED-4, Apaf-1, caspase-1, and the like. For example, the NB-ARC domain of an invention PAN can be replaced by the NB-ARC domain of CED-4 and the like. Another example of such a chimera is a polypeptide wherein the CARD domain of an invention PAN is replaced by the CARD domain from CED-4, and the like. In a further example, an NB-ARC domain can be fused with a P20/P10 domain to form a novel chimera with caspase activity. In another embodiment, a chimeric protein can be formed which contains functional domains of 2 or more PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention.

[0092] As used herein, the term “polypeptide” when used in reference to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is intended to refer to a peptide or polypeptide of two or more amino acids. The term “polypeptide analog” includes any polypeptide having an amino acid residue sequence substantially the same as a sequence specifically described herein in which one or more residues have been conservatively substituted with a functionally similar residue and which displays the ability to functionally mimic a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide as described herein. A “modification” of an invention polypeptide also encompasses conservative substitutions of an invention polypeptide amino acid sequence. Conservative substitutions of encoded amino acids include, for example, amino acids that belong within the following groups: (1) non-polar amino acids (Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, and Ile); (2) polar neutral amino acids (Cys, Met, Ser, Thr, Asn, and Gln); (3) polar acidic amino acids (Asp and Glu); (4) polar basic amino acids (Lys, Arg and His); and (5) aromatic amino acids (Phe, Trp, Tyr, and His). Other groupings of amino acids can be found, for example in Taylor, J. Theor. Biol. 119:205-218 (1986), which is incorporated herein by reference. Other minor modifications are included within invention polypeptides so long as the polypeptide retains some or all of its function as described herein.

[0093] The amino acid length of functional fragments or polypeptide analogs of the present invention can range from about 5 amino acids up to the full-length protein sequence of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the amino acid lengths include, for example, at least about 10 amino acids, at least about 15, at least about 20, at least about 25, at least about 30, at least about 35, at least about 40, at least about 45, at least about 50, at least about 55, at least about 60, at least about 65, at least about 70, at least about 75, at least about 80, at least about 85, at least about 90, at least about 95, at least about 100, at least about 125, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 200, at least about 250 or more amino acids in length up to no more than 1 residue less than a full-length naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing protein. In a particular embodiment of the invention, PAAD domain-containing functional fragments comprise an amino acid consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0094] -KFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:29);

[0095] -KLKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:30);

[0096] -RFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:31);

[0097] -RFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:32);

[0098] -KFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:33); and

[0099] -KFKX₁X₂I- (SEQ ID NO:34);

[0100] where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid. Preferably, PAAD domain-containing functional fragments comprise 15 or more contiguous amino acids selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-14.

[0101] A modification of a polypeptide can also include derivatives, analogues and functional mimetics thereof, provided that such polypeptide displays a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide biological activity. For example, derivatives can include chemical modifications of the polypeptide such as alkylation, acylation, carbamylation, iodination, or any modification that derivatizes the polypeptide. Such derivatized molecules include, for example, those molecules in which free amino groups have been derivatized to form amine hydrochlorides, p-toluene sulfonyl groups, carbobenzoxy groups, t-butyloxycarbonyl groups, chloroacetyl groups or formyl groups. Free carboxyl groups can be derivatized to form salts, methyl and ethyl esters or other types of esters or hydrazides. Free hydroxyl groups can be derivatized to form O-acyl or O-alkyl derivatives. The imidazole nitrogen of histidine can be derivatized to form N-im-benzylhistidine. Also included as derivatives or analogues are those peptides which contain one or more naturally occurring amino acid derivatives of the twenty standard amino acids, for example, 4-hydroxyproline, 5-hydroxylysine, 3-methylhistidine, homoserine, ornithine or carboxyglutamate, and can include amino acids that are not linked by peptide bonds. Polypeptides of the present invention also include any polypeptide having one or more additions and/or deletions of residues, relative to the sequence of a polypeptide whose sequence is shown herein, so long as PAAD domain-containing polypeptide activity is maintained.

[0102] A modification of an invention polypeptide includes functional mimetics thereof. Mimetics encompass chemicals containing chemical moieties that mimic the function of the polypeptide. For example, if a polypeptide contains two charged chemical moieties having functional activity, a mimetic places two charged chemical moieties in a spatial orientation and constrained structure so that the charged chemical function is maintained in three-dimensional space. Thus, a mimetic, which orients functional groups that provide a function of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, are included within the meaning of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide derivative. All of these modifications are included within the term “polypeptide” so long as the invention polypeptide or functional fragment retains its function. Exemplary mimetics are peptidomimetics, peptoids, or other peptide-like polymers such as poly(b-amino acids), and also non-polymeric compounds upon which functional groups that mimic a peptide are positioned.

[0103] Another embodiment of the invention provides a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof, fused with a moiety to form a conjugate. As used herein, a “moiety” can be a physical, chemical or biological entity which contributes functionality to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. Functionalities contributed by a moiety include therapeutic or other biological activity, or the ability to facilitate identification or recovery of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Therefore, a moiety will include molecules known in the art to be useful for detection of the conjugate by, for example, by fluorescence, magnetic imaging, detection of radioactive emission. A moiety may also be useful for recovery of the conjugate, for example a His tag or other known tags used for protein isolation and/or purification, or a physical substance such as a bead. A moiety can be a therapeutic compound, for example, a cytotoxic drug which can be useful to effect a biological change in cells to which the conjugate localizes.

[0104] An example of the methods for preparing the invention polypeptide(s) is to express nucleic acids encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a suitable host cell, such as a bacterial cell, a yeast cell, an amphibian cell such as an oocyte, or a mammalian cell, using methods well known in the art, and recovering the expressed polypeptide, again using well-known purification methods. Invention polypeptides can be isolated directly from cells that have been transformed with expression vectors as known in the art. Recombinantly expressed polypeptides of the invention can also be expressed as fusion proteins with appropriate affinity tags, such as glutathione S transferase (GST) or poly His, and affinity purified. The invention polypeptide, biologically functional fragments, and functional equivalents thereof can also be produced by in vitro transcription/translation methods known in the art, such as using reticulocyte lysates, as used for example, in the TNT system (Promega). The invention polypeptide, biologically functional fragments, and functional equivalents thereof can also be produced by chemical synthesis. For example, synthetic polypeptides can be produced using Applied Biosystems, Inc. Model 430A or 431A automatic peptide synthesizer (Foster City, Calif.) employing the chemistry provided by the manufacturer.

[0105] The present invention also provides compositions containing an acceptable carrier and any of an isolated, purified PAAD domain-containing mature protein, such as an invention PAN protein, or functional polypeptide fragments thereof, alone or in combination with each other. These polypeptides or proteins can be recombinantly derived, chemically synthesized or purified from native sources. As used herein, the term “acceptable carrier” encompasses any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, such as phosphate buffered saline solution, water and emulsions such as an oil/water or water/oil emulsion, and various types of wetting agents.

[0106] The invention thus provides a therapeutic composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound selected from the group consisting of a PAAD domain-containing fragment polypeptide, a PAAD domain-containing chimeric protein, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide modulating compound, and an anti-PAAD antibody. The invention additionally provides a method of treating a pathologies characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, abnormal cell death, or inflammation by administering an effective amount of the composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound selected from the group consisting of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, a functional fragment thereof, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide modulating compound, and an anti-PAAD antibody.

[0107] PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be administered to an individual to increase an activity associated with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, including induction of apoptosis, functioning as a tumor suppressor, modulation of inflammation or cell adhesion, and the like. For example, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be administered therapeutically to an individual using expression vectors containing nucleic acids encoding PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, as described below. In addition, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, or a functional portion thereof, can be directly administered to an individual. Methods of administering therapeutic polypeptides are well known to those skilled in the art, for example, in the form of a pharmaceutical composition.

[0108] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there are provided isolated nucleic acids encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide fragment or chimeric protein comprising a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. The isolated nucleic acids can be selected from:

[0109] (a) DNA encoding a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28, or

[0110] (b) DNA that hybridizes to the DNA of (a) under moderately stringent conditions, where the DNA encodes a biologically active PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0111] The nucleic acid molecules described herein are useful for producing invention polypeptides, when such nucleic acids are incorporated into a variety of protein expression systems known to those of skill in the art. In addition, such nucleic acid molecules or fragments thereof can be labeled with a readily detectable substituent and used as hybridization probes for assaying for the presence and/or amount of an invention PAAD domain encoding gene or mRNA transcript in a given sample. The nucleic acid molecules described herein, and fragments thereof, are also useful as primers and/or templates in a PCR reaction for amplifying genes encoding invention polypeptides described herein.

[0112] The term “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid molecule” (also referred to as polynucleotides) encompasses ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), probes, oligonucleotides, and primers and can be single stranded or double stranded. DNA can be either complementary DNA (cDNA) or genomic DNA, e.g. a PAAD domain encoding gene, and can represent the sense strand, the anti-sense strand, or both. Examples of nucleic acids are RNA, cDNA, or isolated genomic DNA encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. One means of isolating a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid polypeptide is to probe a mammalian genomic or cDNA library with a natural or artificially designed DNA probe using methods well known in the art. DNA probes derived from the PAAD domain encoding gene are particularly useful for this purpose. DNA and cDNA molecules that encode PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be used to obtain complementary genomic DNA, cDNA or RNA from mammalian (e.g., human, mouse, rat, rabbit, pig, and the like), or other animal sources, or to isolate related cDNA or genomic clones by screening cDNA or genomic libraries, using methods described in more detail below.

[0113] In one embodiment, invention nucleic acids comprise substantially the same or the same nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs:15 (PAN2), 17 (PAN3), 19 (PAN4), 21 (PAN5), 23 (PAN6), 25 (pyrin2), or 27 (ASC2).

[0114] Thus a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid as used herein refers to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide containing a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide fragment of the invention, or a PAAD domain-containing chimeric protein.

[0115] Use of the terms “isolated” and/or “purified” and/or “substantially purified” in the present specification and claims as a modifier of DNA, RNA, polypeptides or proteins means that the DNA, RNA, polypeptides or proteins so designated have been produced in such form by the hand of man, and thus are separated from their native in vivo cellular environment, and are substantially free of any other species of nucleic acid or protein. As a result of this human intervention, the recombinant DNAs, RNAs, polypeptides and proteins of the invention are useful in ways described herein that the DNAs, RNAs, polypeptides or proteins as they naturally occur are not.

[0116] Invention nucleic acids encoding PAAD domain-containing polypeptides and invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be obtained from any species of organism, such as prokaryotes, eukaryotes, plants, fungi, vertebrates, invertebrates, and the like. A particular species can be mammalian, e.g., human, rat, mouse, rabbit, monkey, baboon, bovine, porcine, ovine, canine, feline, and the like. A preferred PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid herein, is human PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid.

[0117] As employed herein, the term “substantially the same nucleotide sequence” refers to DNA having sufficient identity to the reference polynucleotide, such that it will hybridize to the reference nucleotide under moderately or highly stringent hybridization conditions. In one embodiment, DNA having substantially the same nucleotide sequence as the reference nucleotide sequence encodes substantially the same amino acid sequence as that set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28. In another embodiment, DNA having “substantially the same nucleotide sequence” as the reference nucleotide sequence has at least 60%, or at least 65% identity with respect to the reference nucleotide sequence. DNA having at least 70%, 72%, 74%, 76%, 78%, 80%, 82%, 84%, 86% or 88%, more preferably at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93% or 94% yet more preferably at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to the reference nucleotide sequence is preferred.

[0118] As used herein, a “modification” of a nucleic acid can also include one or several nucleotide additions, deletions, or substitutions with respect to a reference sequence. A modification of a nucleic acid can include substitutions that do not change the encoded amino acid sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. Such modifications can correspond to variations that are made deliberately, or which occur as mutations during nucleic acid replication.

[0119] Exemplary modifications of the recited nucleotide sequences include sequences that correspond to homologs of other species, including mammalian species such as mouse, primates, including monkey and baboon, rat, rabbit, bovine, porcine, ovine, canine, feline, or other animal species. The corresponding nucleotide sequences of non-human species can be determined by methods known in the art, such as by PCR or by screening genomic, cDNA or expression libraries.

[0120] Another exemplary modification of the invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid or PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can correspond to mutant or splice variant forms of the PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence. Additionally, a modification of a nucleotide sequence can include one or more non-native nucleotides, having, for example, modifications to the base, the sugar, or the phosphate portion, or having a modified phosphodiester linkage. Such modifications can be advantageous in increasing the stability of the nucleic acid molecule.

[0121] Furthermore, a modification of a nucleotide sequence can include, for example, a detectable moiety, such as a radiolabel, a fluorochrome, a ferromagnetic substance, a luminescent tag or a detectable binding agent such as biotin. Such modifications can be advantageous in applications where detection of a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule is desired.

[0122] This invention also encompasses nucleic acids which differ from the nucleic acids shown in SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27, but which have the same phenotype. Phenotypically similar nucleic acids are also referred to as “functionally equivalent nucleic acids”. As used herein, the phrase “functionally equivalent nucleic acids” encompasses nucleic acids characterized by slight and non-consequential sequence variations that will function in substantially the same manner to produce the same polypeptide product(s) as the nucleic acids disclosed herein. In particular, functionally equivalent nucleic acids encode polypeptides that are the same as those encoded by the nucleic acids disclosed herein or that have conservative amino acid variations. For example, conservative variations include substitution of a non-polar residue with another non-polar residue, or substitution of a charged residue with a similarly charged residue. These variations include those recognized by skilled artisans as those that do not substantially alter the tertiary structure of the protein.

[0123] Further provided are nucleic acids encoding invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides that, by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code, do not necessarily hybridize to the invention nucleic acids under specified hybridization conditions. Preferred nucleic acids encoding the invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are comprised of nucleotides that encode substantially the same amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28.

[0124] Hybridization refers to the binding of complementary strands of nucleic acid (i.e., sense:antisense strands or probe:target-DNA) to each other through hydrogen bonds, similar to the bonds that naturally occur in chromosomal DNA. Stringency levels used to hybridize a given probe with target-DNA can be readily varied by those of skill in the art.

[0125] The phrase “stringent hybridization” is used herein to refer to conditions under which polynucleic acid hybrids are stable. As known to those of skill in the art, the stability of hybrids is reflected in the melting temperature (Tm) of the hybrids. In general, the stability of a hybrid is a function of sodium ion concentration and temperature. Typically, the hybridization reaction is performed under conditions of lower stringency, followed by washes of varying, but higher, stringency. Reference to hybridization stringency relates to such washing conditions.

[0126] As used herein, the phrase “moderately stringent hybridization” refers to conditions that permit target-nucleic acid to bind a complementary nucleic acid. The hybridized nucleic acids will generally have at least about 60% identity, at least about 75% identity, more at least about 85% identity; or at least about 90% identity. Moderately stringent conditions are conditions equivalent to hybridization in 50% formamide, 5×Denhart's solution, 5×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 42° C., followed by washing in 0.2×SSPE, 0.2% SDS, at 42° C.

[0127] The phrase “high stringency hybridization” refers to conditions that permit hybridization of only those nucleic acid sequences that form stable hybrids in 0.018M NaCl at 65° C., for example, if a hybrid is not stable in 0.018M NaCl at 65° C., it will not be stable under high stringency conditions, as contemplated herein. High stringency conditions can be provided, for example, by hybridization in 50% formamide, 5×Denhart's solution, 5×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 42° C., followed by washing in 0.1×SSPE, and 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0128] The phrase “low stringency hybridization” refers to conditions equivalent to hybridization in 10% formamide, 5×Denhart's solution, 6×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 22° C., followed by washing in 1×SSPE, 0.2% SDS, at 370C. Denhart's solution contains 1% Ficoll, 1% polyvinylpyrolidone, and 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). 20×SSPE (sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, ethylene diamide tetraacetic acid (EDTA)) contains 3M sodium chloride, 0.2M sodium phosphate, and 0.025 M (EDTA). Other suitable moderate stringency and high stringency hybridization buffers and conditions are well known to those of skill in the art and are described, for example, in Sambrook et al., supra (1989); and Ausubel et al., supra (2000).

[0129] Nucleic acids encoding polypeptides hybridize under moderately stringent or high stringency conditions to substantially the entire sequence, or substantial portions, for example, typically at least 15, 17, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50 or more nucleotides of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27.

[0130] As used herein, the term “degenerate” refers to codons that differ in at least one nucleotide from a reference nucleic acid, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 but encode the same amino acids as the reference nucleic acid. For example, codons specified by the triplets “UCU”, “UCC”, “UCA”, and “UCG” are degenerate with respect to each other since all four of these codons encode the amino acid serine.

[0131] The invention also provides a modification of a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule, for example, a nucleic acid molecule referenced as SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, under moderately stringent conditions. Modifications of nucleotide sequences, where the modification has at least 60% identity to a PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence, are also provided. The invention also provides modification of a PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence having at least 65% identity, at least 70% identity, at least 72% identity, at least 74% identity, at least 76% identity, at least 78% identity, at least 80% identity, at least 82% identity, at least 84% identity, at least 86% identity, at least 88% identity, at least 90% identity, at least 91% identity, at least 92% identity, at least 93% identity, at least 94% identity, at least 95% identity, at least 96% identity, at least 97% identity, at least 98% identity or at least 99% identity.

[0132] Identity of any two nucleic acid or amino acid sequences can be determined by those skilled in the art based, for example, on known computer alignments such as BLAST 2.0, ClustalW and the like, which can be adjusted manually, if appropriate, to insert gaps to optimize the alignment according to standard practice in the art.

[0133] One means of isolating a nucleic acid encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is to probe a cDNA library or genomic library with a natural or artificially designed nucleic acid probe using methods well known in the art. Nucleic acid probes derived from a PAAD domain encoding gene are particularly useful for this purpose. DNA and cDNA molecules that encode PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be used to obtain complementary genomic DNA, cDNA or RNA from mammals, for example, human, mouse, rat, rabbit, pig, and the like, or other animal sources, or to isolate related cDNA or genomic clones by the screening of cDNA or genomic libraries, by methods well known in the art (see, for example, Sambrook et al., supra (1989); Ausubel et al., supra (2000)).

[0134] The invention additionally provides a nucleic acid that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the PAAD domain coding portion of any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27. The invention also provides a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence substantially the same as set that forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27.

[0135] The invention also provides a method for identifying nucleic acids encoding a mammalian PAAD domain-containing polypeptide by contacting a sample containing nucleic acids with one or more invention oligonucleotides, wherein the contacting is effected under high stringency hybridization conditions, and identifying a nucleic acid that hybridizes to the oligonucleotide. The invention additionally provides a method of detecting a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule in a sample by contacting the sample with two or more invention oligonucleotides, amplifying a nucleic acid molecule, and detecting the amplification. The amplification can be performed, for example, using PCR. The invention further provides oligonucleotides that function as single stranded nucleic acid primers for amplification of a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, wherein the primers comprise a nucleic acid sequence derived from the nucleic acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS:SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27.

[0136] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, optionally labeled PAAD-encoding cDNAs, or fragments thereof, can be employed to probe library(ies) such as cDNA, genomic, BAC, and the like for predominant nucleic acid sequences or additional nucleic acid sequences encoding novel PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. Construction and screening of suitable mammalian cDNA libraries, including human cDNA libraries, is well-known in the art, as demonstrated, for example, in Ausubel et al., supra. Screening of such a cDNA library is initially carried out under low-stringency conditions, which comprise a temperature of less than about 42° C., a formamide concentration of less than about 50%, and a moderate to low salt concentration.

[0137] Presently preferred probe-based screening conditions comprise a temperature of about 37° C, a formamide concentration of about 20%, and a salt concentration of about 5×standard saline citrate (SSC; 20×SSC contains 3M sodium chloride, 0.3M sodium citrate, pH 7.0). Such conditions will allow the identification of sequences which have a substantial degree of similarity with the probe sequence, without requiring perfect homology. The phrase “substantial similarity” refers to sequences which share at least 50% homology. Hybridization conditions are selected which allow the identification of sequences having at least 70% homology with the probe, while discriminating against sequences which have a lower degree of homology with the probe. As a result, nucleic acids having substantially the same nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, are obtained.

[0138] As used herein, a nucleic acid “probe” is single-stranded nucleic acid, or analog thereof, that has a sequence of nucleotides that includes at least 15, at least at least 17, at least 20, at least 22, at least 25, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, or at least 500 contiguous bases that are substantially the same as, or the complement of, any contiguous bases set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27. Preferred regions from which to construct probes include 5′ and/or 3′ coding regions of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27. In addition, the entire cDNA encoding region of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or an entire sequence substantially the same as SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, may be used as a probe. Probes can be labeled by methods well-known in the art, as described hereinafter, and used in various diagnostic kits.

[0139] The invention additionally provides an oligonucleotide comprising at least 15 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, or the anti-sense strand thereof. As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to a nucleic acid molecule that includes at least 15 contiguous nucleotides from a reference nucleotide sequence, can include at least 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, or at least 25 contiguous nucleotides, and often includes at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 400, 500, 600, 700 or more contiguous nucleotides from the reference nucleotide sequence. The reference nucleotide sequence can be the sense strand or the anti-sense strand.

[0140] The oligonucleotides of the invention that contain at least 15 contiguous nucleotides of a reference PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence are able to hybridize to PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequences under moderately stringent hybridization conditions and thus can be advantageously used, for example, as probes to detect PAAD domain encoding DNA or RNA in a sample, and to detect splice variants thereof; as sequencing or PCR primers; as antisense reagents to block transcription of PAAD domain encoding RNA in cells; or in other applications known to those skilled in the art in which hybridization to a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule is desirable.

[0141] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for identifying nucleic acids encoding a PAAD-containing polypeptide, comprising:

[0142] contacting a sample containing nucleic acids with an invention probe or an invention oligonucleotide, wherein said contacting is effected under high stringency hybridization conditions, and identifying nucleic acids which hybridize thereto. Methods for identification of nucleic acids encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide are disclosed herein.

[0143] Also provided in accordance with present invention is a method for identifying a PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence comprising the steps of using a PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, to identify a candidate PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence and verifying the candidate PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence by aligning the candidate sequence with known PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequences, where a conserved PAAD domain sequence or a predicted three dimensional polypeptide structure similar to a known PAAD domain three dimensional structure confirms the candidate sequence as a PAAD domain encoding sequence. Methods for identifying PAAD-encoding sequences are provided herein (See Examples 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0).

[0144] It is understood that a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule of the invention, as used herein, specifically excludes previously known nucleic acid molecules consisting of nucleotide sequences having exact sequence identity with the PAAD domain encoding nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NOS:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27), such as Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), Sequence Tagged Sites (STSs) and genomic fragments, deposited in public databases such as the nr, dbest, dbsts, gss and htgs databases, which are available for searching at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast/.

[0145] In particular, invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecules, and PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, excludes the exact, specific and complete nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequences corresponding to any of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences having the Genbank (gb), NCBI, EMBL (emb) or DDBJ (dbj) accession numbers described below. Accession numbers specifically excluded include NCBI Accession Nos: GI 4557743, 5094556, 7019331, 7689912, 7020664, 7382417, 2335202, 7690109, 8099799, 8655944, 7662386, 5902751, 2833279, 6523868, 3483677, 10440263, 14731965, 2335202, 15488764, 202805, 9211204, 3483677, 15488878, 14779455, 14779445, 14488058, 11096298, 9802275, 9863861, 9863863, 10835255, 10801601, 7020146, 14779447, 13325315, 15215377, 11230601, 9937751, 14758026, 15193291, 13182796, 14731965, 14731967, 4757727, 3341995, 10440263, 14253110, 9153913, and 1383656.

[0146] Since one of skill in the art will realize that the above-recited excluded sequences may be revised at a later date, the skilled artisan will recognize that the above-recited sequences are excluded as they stand on the priority date of this application.

[0147] The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. For example, the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used as probes, as described above; as templates for the recombinant expression of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides; or in screening assays such as two-hybrid assays to identify cellular molecules that bind PAAD domain-containing polypeptides.

[0148] Another useful method for producing a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule of the invention involves amplification of the nucleic acid molecule using PCR and invention oligonucleotides and, optionally, purification of the resulting product by gel electrophoresis. Either PCR or RT-PCR can be used to produce a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule having any desired nucleotide boundaries. Desired modifications to the nucleic acid sequence can also be introduced by choosing an appropriate oligonucleotide primer with one or more additions, deletions or substitutions. Such nucleic acid molecules can be amplified exponentially starting from as little as a single gene or mRNA copy, from any cell, tissue or species of interest.

[0149] The invention thus provides methods for detecting a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid in a sample. The methods of detecting a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid in a sample can be either qualitative or quantitative, as desired. For example, the presence, abundance, integrity or structure of a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid can be determined, as desired, depending on the assay format and the probe used for hybridization or primer pair chosen for application.

[0150] Useful assays for detecting a PAAD domain-containing nucleic acid based on specific hybridization with an isolated invention oligonucleotide are well known in the art and include, for example, in situ hybridization, which can be used to detect altered chromosomal location of the nucleic acid molecule, altered gene copy number, and RNA abundance, depending on the assay format used. Other hybridization assays include, for example, Northern blots and RNase protection assays, which can be used to determine the abundance and integrity of different RNA splice variants, and Southern blots, which can be used to determine the copy number and integrity of DNA. A hybridization probe can be labeled with any suitable detectable moiety, such as a radioisotope, fluorochrome, chemiluminescent marker, biotin, or other detectable moiety known in the art that is detectable by analytical methods.

[0151] Useful assays for detecting a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid in a sample based on amplifying a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid with two or more invention oligonucleotides are also well known in the art, and include, for example, qualitative or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR); single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, which can readily identify a single point mutation in DNA based on differences in the secondary structure of single-strand DNA that produce an altered electrophoretic mobility upon non-denaturing gel electrophoresis; and coupled PCR, transcription and translation assays, such as a protein truncation test, in which a mutation in DNA is determined by an altered protein product on an electrophoresis gel. Additionally, the amplified PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid can be sequenced to detect mutations and mutational hot-spots, and specific assays for large-scale screening of samples to identify such mutations can be developed.

[0152] In a particular embodiment, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or functional fragment thereof, can be administered to an individual so that the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or functional fragment is targeted to a tumor to induce apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, or otherwise function as a tumor suppressor. One method of delivering a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to an intracellular target is to fuse a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or functional fragment to an intracellular-targeting peptide that can penetrate the cell membrane or otherwise deliver a polypeptide to the intracellular environment such as via internalization, thereby causing the fused PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to enter the cell. One example of such an intracellular-targeting peptides is a fusion to the transduction domain of HIV TAT, which allows transduction of up to 100% of cells (Schwarze et al., Science 285:1569-1572 (1999); Vocero-Akbani et al., Nature Med. 5:29-33 (1999)).

[0153] Another example of such an intracellular-targeting peptide is the Antennapeida homeoprotein internalization domain (Holinger et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:13298-13304 (1999)). Still another intracellular-targeting peptide is a peptide that is specific for a cell surface receptor, which allows binding and internalization of a fusion polypeptide via receptor-mediated endocytosis (Ellerby et al., Nature Med. 5:1032-1038 (1999)). Such intracellular-targeting peptides that mediate specific receptor interactions can be advantageously used to target a tumor (see Ellerby et al., supra, 1999). Alternatively, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention can be incorporated, if desired, into liposomes, microspheres or other polymer matrices (Gregoriadis, Liposome Technology, Vols. I to III, 2nd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton Fla. (1993)).

[0154] Also provided are antisense-nucleic acids having a sequence capable of binding specifically with full-length or any portion of an mRNA that encodes PAAD domain-containing polypeptides so as to prevent translation of the mRNA. The antisense-nucleic acid can have a sequence capable of binding specifically with any portion of the sequence of the cDNA encoding PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. As used herein, the phrase “binding specifically” encompasses the ability of a nucleic acid sequence to recognize a complementary nucleic acid sequence and to form double-helical segments therewith via the formation of hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs. An example of an antisense-nucleic acid is an antisense-nucleic acid comprising chemical analogs of nucleotides.

[0155] Also provided are double-stranded RNA molecules for use in RNA interference methods. RNA interference (RNAi) is a process of sequence-specific gene silencing by post-transcriptional RNA degradation, which is initiated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) homologous in sequence to the silenced gene. A suitable double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for RNAi contains sense and antisense strands of about 21 contiguous nucleotides corresponding to the gene to be targeted that form 19 RNA base pairs, leaving overhangs of two nucleotides at each 3′ end (Elbashir et al., Nature 411:494-498 (2001); Bass, Nature 411:428-429 (2001); Zamore, Nat. Struct. Biol. 8:746-750 (2001)). dsRNAs of about 25-30 nucleotides have also been used successfully for RNAI (Karabinos et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 98:7863-7868 (2001). dsRNA can be synthesized in vitro and introduced into a cell by methods known in the art. By such methods, translation of the target polypeptide can be decreased.

[0156] The present invention provides a method of reducing levels of expression of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides by introducing into a cell anti-sense nucleic acids that inhibit translation or degrade mRNA encoding these polypeptides. Such nucleic acid molecules are designed to recognize and selectively bind to mRNA, such as to mRNA comprising SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, and are complementary to portions thereof.

[0157] The present invention also provides a method of reducing levels of expression of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides by introducing into a cell dsRNA that degrades mRNA encoding such polyepeptides. Such dsRNA contains short contiguous sequences of about 21-30 nucleotides of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27, and about 21-30 nucleotides complementary thereto, designed such that there is about a 2 base overhang at each 3′ end of the double-stranded sequence.

[0158] Compositions comprising an amount of the antisense-nucleic acid or dsRNA effective to reduce expression of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can further contain an acceptable hydrophobic carrier capable of passing through a cell membrane are also provided herein. Suitable hydrophobic carriers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,334,761; 4,889,953; 4,897,355, and the like. The acceptable hydrophobic carrier capable of passing through cell membranes may also comprise a structure which binds to a receptor specific for a selected cell type and is thereby taken up by cells of the selected cell type. For example, the structure can be part of a protein known to bind to a cell-type specific receptor.

[0159] The invention also provides a method for expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide by culturing cells containing a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid under conditions suitable for expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Thus, there is provided a method for the recombinant production of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention by expressing the PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid sequences in suitable host cells. Recombinant DNA expression systems that are suitable to produce a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide described herein are well-known in the art (see, for example, Ausubel et al., supra (2000)). For example, the above-described nucleotide sequences can be incorporated into vectors for further manipulation. As used herein, a vector refers to a recombinant DNA or RNA plasmid or virus containing discrete elements that are used to introduce heterologous DNA into cells for either expression or replication thereof.

[0160] The invention also provides vectors containing the PAAD domain encoding nucleic acids of the invention. Suitable expression vectors are well-known in the art and include vectors capable of expressing nucleic acid operatively linked to a regulatory sequence or element such as a promoter region or enhancer region that is capable of regulating expression of such nucleic acid. Appropriate expression vectors include those that are replicable in eukaryotic cells and/or prokaryotic cells and those that remain episomal or those which integrate into the host cell genome.

[0161] Promoters or enhancers, depending upon the nature of the regulation, can be constitutive or regulated. The regulatory sequences or regulatory elements are operatively linked to a nucleic acid of the invention such that the physical and functional relationship between the nucleic acid and the regulatory sequence allows transcription of the nucleic acid.

[0162] Suitable vectors for expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells are well known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Ausubel et al., supra (2000)). Vectors useful for expression in eukaryotic cells can include, for example, regulatory elements including the SV40 early promoter, the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) steroid-inducible promoter, Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) promoter, and the like. The vectors of the invention are useful for subcloning and amplifying a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule and for recombinantly expressing a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. A vector of the invention can include, for example, viral vectors such as a bacteriophage, a baculovirus or a retrovirus; cosmids or plasmids; and, particularly for cloning large nucleic acid molecules, bacterial artificial chromosome vectors (BACs) and yeast artificial chromosome vectors (YACs). Such vectors are commercially available, and their uses are well known in the art. One skilled in the art will know or can readily determine an appropriate promoter for expression in a particular host cell.

[0163] The invention additionally provides recombinant cells containing PAAD domain encoding nucleic acids of the invention. The recombinant cells are generated by introducing into a host cell a vector containing a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule. The recombinant cells are transducted, transfected or otherwise genetically modified. Exemplary host cells that can be used to express recombinant PAAD molecules include mammalian primary cells; established mammalian cell lines, such as COS, CHO, HeLa, NIH3T3, HEK 293 and PC12 cells; amphibian cells, such as Xenopus embryos and oocytes and other vertebrate cells. Exemplary host cells also include insect cells such as Drosophila, yeast cells such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe, or Pichia pastoris, and prokaryotic cells such as Escherichia coli. Additional host cells can be obtained, for example, from ATCC (Manassas, Va.)

[0164] In one embodiment, PAAD domain encoding nucleic acids can be delivered into mammalian cells, either in vivo or in vitro using suitable vectors well-known in the art. Suitable vectors for delivering a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof to a mammalian cell, include viral vectors such as retroviral vectors, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, herpesvirus, as well as non-viral vectors such as plasmid vectors. Such vectors are useful for providing therapeutic amounts of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,346, issued Mar. 21, 1995). Delivery of PAAD polypeptides or nucleic acids therapeutically can be particularly useful when targeted to a tumor cell, thereby inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. In addition, where it is desirable to limit or reduce the in vivo expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, the introduction of the antisense strand of the invention nucleic acid is contemplated.

[0165] The invention additionally provides an isolated anti-PAAD domain antibody (also referred to herein as an anti-PAAD antibody) having specific reactivity with a invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. The anti-PAAD antibody can be a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody. The invention further provides cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies having specific reactivity with an invention PAAD domain-containing protien.

[0166] The invention thus provides antibodies that specifically bind a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. As used herein, the term “antibody” is used in its broadest sense to include polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, as well as antigen binding fragments of such antibodies. With regard to an anti-PAAD antibody of the invention, the term “antigen” means a native or synthesized PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment thereof. An anti-PAAD antibody, or antigen binding fragment of such an antibody, is characterized by having specific binding activity for a PAAD polypeptide or a peptide portion thereof of at least about 1×10⁵ M⁻¹. Thus, Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fd and Fv fragments of an anti-PAAD antibody, which retain specific binding activity for a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, are included within the definition of an antibody. Specific binding activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be readily determined by one skilled in the art, for example, by comparing the binding activity of an anti-PAAD antibody to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide versus a reference polypeptide that is not a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Methods of preparing polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies are well known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1988)).

[0167] In addition, the term “antibody” as used herein includes naturally occurring antibodies as well as non-naturally occurring antibodies, including, for example, single chain antibodies, chimeric, bifunctional and humanized antibodies, as well as antigen-binding fragments thereof. Such non-naturally occurring antibodies can be constructed using solid phase peptide synthesis, can be produced recombinantly or can be obtained, for example, by screening combinatorial libraries consisting of variable heavy chains and variable light chains as described by Huse et al., Science 246:1275-1281 (1989)). These and other methods of making, for example, chimeric, humanized, CDR-grafted, single chain, and bifunctional antibodies are well known to those skilled in the art (Winter and Harris, Immunol. Today 14:243-246 (1993); Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989) ; Harlow and Lane, supra, 1988); Hilyard et al., Protein Engineering: A practical approach (IRL Press 1992); Borrabeck, Antibody Engineering, 2d ed. (Oxford University Press 1995)).

[0168] Anti-PAAD antibodies can be raised using a PAAD immunogen such as an isolated PAAD domain-containing functional fragment cromprising an amino acid consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0169] -KFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:29);

[0170] -KLKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:30);

[0171] -RFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:31);

[0172] -RFKX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:32);

[0173] -KFRX₁X₂L- (SEQ ID NO:33); and

[0174] -KFKX₁X₂I- (SEQ ID NO:34);

[0175] where X₁ and X₂ can be any amino acid; or PAAD domain-containing protein having substantially the same amino acid sequence as SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28, or a portion thereof, which can be prepared from natural sources or produced recombinantly. Such a portion of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is a functional antigenic portion if the antigenic peptides can be used to generate a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide-specific antibody.

[0176] The invention further provides a method for detecting the presence of a human PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a sample by contacting a sample with a PAAD domain specific antibody, and detecting the presence of specific binding of the antibody to the sample, thereby detecting the presence of a human PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in the sample. PAAD domain specific antibodies can be used in diagnostic methods and systems to detect the level of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide present in a sample. As used herein, the term “sample” is intended to mean any biological fluid, cell, tissue, organ or portion thereof, that includes or potentially includes PAAD domain encoding nucleic acids or PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. The term includes samples present in an individual as well as samples obtained or derived from the individual. For example, a sample can be a histologic section of a specimen obtained by biopsy, or cells that are placed in or adapted to tissue culture. A sample further can be a subcellular fraction or extract, or a crude or substantially pure nucleic acid or polypeptide preparation.

[0177] PAAD domain specific antibodies can also be used for the immunoaffinity or affinity chromatography purification of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. In addition, methods are contemplated herein for detecting the presence of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an antibody that specifically binds to PAAD domain-containing polypeptides under conditions permitting binding of the antibody to the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, detecting the presence of the antibody bound to the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, and thereby detecting the presence of invention polypeptides in a cell. With respect to the detection of such polypeptides, the antibodies can be used for in vitro diagnostic or in vivo imaging methods.

[0178] Immunological procedures useful for in vitro detection of target PAAD domain-containing polypeptides in a sample include immunoassays that employ a detectable antibody. Such immunoassays include, for example, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA assays, radioimmunoassay, FACS analysis, immunoprecipitation, immunoblot analysis, Pandex microfluorimetric assay, agglutination assays, flow cytometry and serum diagnostic assays, which are well known in the art (Harlow and Lane, supra (1988); Harlow and Lane, Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1999)).

[0179] An antibody can be made detectable by various means well known in the art. For example, a detectable marker can be directly attached to the antibody or indirectly attached using, for example, a secondary agent that recognizes the PAAD specific antibody. Useful markers include, for example, radionucleotides, enzymes, binding proteins such as biotin, fluorogens, chromogens, fluorescent labels and chemiluminescent labels. A description of immunofluorescent analytic techniques is found in DeLuca, “Immunofluorescence Analysis”, in Antibody As a Tool, Marchalonis et al., eds., John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., pp. 189-231 (1982), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0180] In addition to detecting the presence of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, invention anti-PAAD antibodies are contemplated for use herein to alter the activity of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in living animals, in humans, or in biological tissues or fluids isolated therefrom. The term “alter” refers to the ability of a compound such as a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, an agent or other compound to increase or decrease biological activity which is modulated by the compound, by functioning as an agonist or antagonist of the compound. Accordingly, compositions comprising a carrier and an amount of an antibody having specificity for PAAD domain-containing polypeptides effective to block naturally occurring ligands or other PAAD-associated polypeptides from binding to invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are contemplated herein. For example, a monoclonal antibody directed to an epitope of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, including an amino acid sequence substantially the same as SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28, can be useful for this purpose.

[0181] The present invention further provides transgenic non-human mammals that are capable of expressing exogenous nucleic acids encoding PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. As employed herein, the phrase “exogenous nucleic acid” refers to nucleic acid sequence which is not native to the host, or which is present in the host in other than its native environment, for example, as part of a genetically engineered DNA construct. In addition to naturally occurring PAAD domain-containing polypeptide levels, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention can either be overexpressed or underexpressed in transgenic mammals, for example, underexpressed in a knock-out animal.

[0182] Animal model systems useful for elucidating the physiological and behavioral roles of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are also provided, and are produced by creating transgenic animals in which the expression of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is altered using a variety of techniques. Examples of such techniques include the insertion of normal or mutant versions of nucleic acids encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide by microinjection, retroviral infection or other means well known to those skilled in the art, into appropriate fertilized embryos to produce a transgenic animal, see, for example, Hogan et al., Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1986)). Transgenic animal model systems are useful for in vivo screening of compounds for identification of specific ligands, such as agonists or antagonists, which activate or inhibit a biological activity.

[0183] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for identifying a PAAD-associated polypeptide (PAP). The method is carried out by contacting an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a candidate PAP and detecting association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with the PAP.

[0184] As used herein, the term “PAAD-associated polypeptide” or “PAP” means a polypeptide that can specifically bind to the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention, or to any functional fragment of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention. Because PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention contain domains which can self-associate, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are encompassed by the term PAP. An exemplary PAP is a protein or a polypeptide portion of a protein that can bind a PAAD, NB-ARC, LRR or ANGIO-R domain of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. A PAP can be identified, for example, using in vitro or in vivo protein-interaction assays and methods known in the art, including yeast two-hybrid assays, co-immunoprecipitation, GST fusion co-purification, GST pull-down assays and the like (see, for example, Ausubel et al., supra (2000)). Additional methods include, for example, scintillation proximity assay (SPA) (Alouani, Methods Mol. Biol. 138:135-41 (2000)), UV or chemical cross-linking (Fancy, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 4:28-33 (2000)), competition binding assays (Yamamura et al., Methods in Neurotransmitter Receptor Analysis, Raven Press, New York, 1990), biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) (Weinberger et al., Pharmacogenomics 1:395-416 (2000)), mass spectrometry (MS) (McLafferty et al., Science 284:1289-1290 (1999) and Degterev, et al., Nature Cell Biology 3:173-182 (2001)), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (Shuker etal., Science 274:1531-1534 (1996), Hajduk et al., J. Med. Chem. 42:2315-2317 (1999), and Chen and Shapiro, Anal. Chem. 71:669A-675A (1999)), and fluorescence polarization assays (FPA) (Degterev et al., supra, 2001).

[0185] Exemplary PAPs contemplated herein can include a protein involved in regulating apoptosis, caspase activation or NFκB induction, and other PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, selected from: Apaf-1, CED4, Nod1/CARD4, ASC-1, CARDX1, pro-Casp1, pro-Casp2, pro-Casp4, pro-Casp5, pro-Casp7, pro-Casp11, pro-Casp12, pro-Casp14, CED3, Dronc, Raidd/CRADD, Cardiak (RIP2, Rick), Bcl-1/CIPER, ARC, NOP30, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, Fadd/mort1, pro-Casp8, pro-Casp10, Dredd, c-Flip/flame, KSV/V-Flip, MCV, DEDD/DEFT, PEA-15, Flash, BAP31, BAR, RIP, IRAK-1, IRAK-2, IRAK-M, My D88, NMP-84, Ankyrin-1, Ankyrin-3, TNFR1, NGFR, Fas, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, Tradd, Fadd, Raidd2, DAP Kinase, NIK, IKKA, IKKα, IκB, p65, p50, IKAP, pyrin, pyrin2, PAN1, PAN2, PAN3, PAN4, PAN5, PAN6, ASC, ASC2, NAC, AIM2, IFI16, MO13L, p52, p100, p105, ParaCaspase (MALT1) and all members of the NFκB/IκB families. The naturally occurring sequences of these molecules from a variety of species, including human and rodent, are well known in the art. The skilled person can readily determine fragments and modifications of naturally occurring PAP sequences that retain their ability to associate with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or domain therefrom, in the assays described herein.

[0186] As disclosed herein, exemplary PAPs that associate with ASC include ASC, ASC2, Caspase-1, Card10, Nod1, Cardiak, NIK and IKK-i. An exemplary PAP that associates with PAN2 is IκBA. An exemplary PAP that associates with PAN6 is IKAP.

[0187] The normal association between a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and a PAP polypeptide in a cell can be altered due, for example, to the expression in the cell of a variant PAP or PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, respectively, either of which can compete with the normal binding function of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and, therefore, can decrease the association of PAP and PAAD domain-containing polypeptides in a cell. The term “variant” is used generally herein to mean a polypeptide that is different from the PAP or PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that normally is found in a particular cell type. Thus, a variant can include a mutated protein or a naturally occurring protein, such as an isoform, that is not normally found in a particular cell type.

[0188] PAAD domain-containing polypeptides and PAAD-associated polypeptides of the invention can be characterized, for example, using in vitro binding assays or the yeast two hybrid system. An in vivo transcription activation assay such as the yeast two hybrid system is particularly useful for identifying and manipulating the association of proteins. In addition, the results observed in such an assay likely mirror the events that naturally occur in a cell. Thus, the results obtained in such an in vivo assay can be predictive of results that can occur in a cell in a subject such as a human subject.

[0189] A transcription activation assay such as the yeast two hybrid system is based on the modular nature of transcription factors, which consist of functionally separable DNA-binding and trans-activation domains. When expressed as separate proteins, these two domains fail to mediate gene transcription. However, transcription activation activity can be restored if the DNA-binding domain and the trans-activation domain are bridged together due, for example, to the association of two proteins. The DNA-binding domain and trans-activation domain can be bridged, for example, by expressing the DNA-binding domain and trans-activation domain as fusion proteins (hybrids), provided that the proteins that are fused to the domains can associate with each other. The non-covalent bridging of the two hybrids brings the DNA-binding and trans-activation domains together and creates a transcriptionally competent complex. The association of the proteins is determined by observing transcriptional activation of a reporter gene.

[0190] The yeast two hybrid systems exemplified herein use various strains of S. cerevisiae as host cells for vectors that express the hybrid proteins. A transcription activation assay also can be performed using, for example, mammalian cells. However, the yeast two hybrid system is particularly useful due to the ease of working with yeast and the speed with which the assay can be performed. For example, yeast host cells containing a lacZ reporter gene linked to a LexA operator sequence can be used to demonstrate that a PAAD domain of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can interact with itself or other PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. For example, the DNA-binding domain can consist of the LexA DNA-binding domain, which binds the LexA promoter, fused to the PAAD domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention and the trans-activation domain can consist of the B42 acidic region separately fused to several cDNA sequences which encode known PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. When the LexA domain is non-covalently bridged to a trans-activation domain fused to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, the association can activate transcription of the reporter gene.

[0191] A PAP, for example, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, a CARD-containing polypeptide, an NB-ARC-containing polypeptide or a LRR-containing polypeptide, also can be identified using well known in vitro assays, for example, an assay utilizing a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. Such an in vitro assay provides a simple, rapid and inexpensive method for identifying and isolating a PAP. Such an in vitro assay is particularly useful in confirming results obtained in vivo and can be used to characterize specific binding domains of a PAP. For example, a GST can be fused to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention, and expressed and purified by binding to an affinity matrix containing immobilized glutathione. If desired, a sample that can contains a PAP or active fragments of a PAP can be passed over an affinity column containing bound GST/PAAD and a PAP that binds to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be obtained. In addition, GST/PAAD can be used to screen a cDNA expression library, wherein binding of the GST/PAAD fusion protein to a clone indicates that the clone contains a cDNA encoding a PAP.

[0192] Thus, one of skill in the art will recognize that using the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides described herein, a variety of methods, such as protein purification, protein interaction cloning, or protein mass-spectrometry, can be used to identify a PAP.

[0193] Although the term “PAP” is used generally, it should be recognized that a PAP that is identified using the novel polypeptides described herein can be a fragment of a protein. Thus, as used herein, a PAP also includes a polypeptide that specifically associates to a portion of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that does not include a PAAD domain. For example, a PAP can associate with the NB-ARC domain of an invention PAN. As used herein, a “candidate PAP” refers to a polypeptide containing a polypeptide sequence know or suspected of binding one or more PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention. Thus, a PAP can represent a full-length protein or a PAAD-associating fragment thereof. Since a PAP polypeptide can be a full-length protein or a PAAD-associating fragment thereof, one of skill in the art will recognize that a PAP-encoding nucleic acid, such as the genomic sequence, an mRNA sequence or a cDNA sequence need not encode the full-length protein. Thus, a cDNA can encode a polypeptide that is a fragment of a full-length PAP which, nevertheless, binds one or more invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. It is also within the scope of the invention that a full-length PAP can assume a conformation that does not, absent some post-translational modification, bind a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention, due, for example, to steric blocking of the binding site. Thus, a PAP can be a protein or a polypeptide portion of a protein that can bind one of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention. Also, it should be recognized that a PAP can be identified by using a minimal polypeptide derived from the sequences of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention, and does not necessarily require that the full-length molecules be employed for identifying such PAPs.

[0194] Since PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be involved in apoptosis, the association of a PAP with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can affect the sensitivity or resistance of a cell to apoptosis or can induce or block apoptosis induced by external or internal stimuli. The identification of various PAPs by use of known methods can be used to determine the function of these PAPs in cell death or signal transduction pathways controlled by PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, allowing for the development of assays that are useful for identifying agents that effectively alter the association of a PAP with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Such agents can be useful for providing effective therapy for conditions caused, at least in part, by insufficient apoptosis, such as cancer, autoimmune disease or certain viral infections. Such agents can also be useful for providing an effective therapy for diseases where excessive apoptosis is known to occur, such as stroke, heart failure, or AIDS; as well as inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitus); rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, trauma, allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease.

[0195] Since PAAD domain-containing polypeptides are also involved in regulating NFκB activity, the association of a PAP with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can also affect responses of cells to stimuli that activate NFκB transcription, including TNFα and IL-1 and other proinflammatory cytokines, T- and B-cell mitogens, bacteria, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), viruses, viral proteins, double stranded RNA, and physical and chemical stresses. The identification of various PAPs as described herein and agents that effectively alter the association of a PAP with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be used to provide effective therapy for conditions mediated, at least in part, by NFκB, including, for example, inflammatory conditions, infections, cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, arthritis and asthma.

[0196] Assays of the invention can be used for identification of agents that alter the self-association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention. Thus, the methods of the invention can be used to identify agents that alter the self-association of invention PAAD domains, such as SEQ ID NOS:1-14 and PAAD domain-containing proteins, such as SEQ ID NOs:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28, via their PAAD domains, NB-ARC domains, LRR domains, ANGIO-R domains or other domains within these polypeptides.

[0197] The ATP-binding and hydrolysis of the NB-ARC domains can be critical for function of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, for example, by altering the oligomerization of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Thus, agents that interfere with or enhance ATP or nucleotide binding and/or hydrolysis by the NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention, such as invention PAN proteins, can also be useful for altering the activity of these polypeptides in cells.

[0198] A further embodiment of the invention provides a method to identify agents that can effectively alter PAAD domain-containing polypeptide activity, for example the ability of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides to associate with one or more heterologous proteins. Thus, the present invention provides a screening assay useful for identifying an effective agent, which can alter the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, such as a PAN, with a PAAD-associated polypeptide (PAP), such as a heterologous PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0199] Effective agents can be useful to alter a biochemical process modulated by a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention. Additional biochemical processes (also referred to herein as “cell activities”) modulated by PAAD domain-containing polypeptide include, for example, apoptosis, regulation of NFκB induction, cytokine processing, cytokine receptor signaling, CJUN N-terminal kinase induction, caspase-mediated proteolytic activation/inhibition, transcription, inflammation and cell adhesion.

[0200] As used herein, the term “agent” means a chemical or biological molecule such as a simple or complex organic molecule, a peptide, a peptido-mimetic, a polypeptide, a protein or an oligonucleotide that has the potential for altering the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a heterologous protein or altering the ability of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to self-associate or altering the ligand binding or biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. An exemplary ligand binding activity is nucleotide binding activity, such as ADP or ATP binding activity; and exemplary catalytic activities are nucleotide hydrolytic activity and proteolytic activity. In addition, the term “effective agent” is used herein to mean an agent that is confirmed as capable of altering the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a heterologous protein or altering the ability of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to self-associate or altering the ligand binding or catalytic activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. For example, an effective agent may be an anti-PAAD antibody, a PAAD-associated polypeptide and the like.

[0201] As used herein, the term “alter the association” means that the association between two specifically interacting polypeptides either is increased or decreased due to the presence of an effective agent. As a result of an altered association of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with another polypeptide in a cell, the activity of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or the PAP can be increased or decreased, thereby altering a biochemical process, for example, the level of apoptosis or NFκB transcriptional activity in the cell. As used herein, the term “alter the activity” means that the agent can increase or decrease the activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell, thereby modulating a biochemical process in a cell, for example, the level of apoptosis or NFκB transcriptional activity in the cell. Similarly, the term “alter the level” of a biological process modulated by a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide refers to an increase or decrease a biochemical process which occurs upon altering the activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. For example, an effective agent can increase or decrease the PAAD:PAAD-associating activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, which can result in altered apoptosis or increased or decreased NFκB transcriptional activity. In another example, alteration of the ATP hydrolysis activity can modulate the ability of the NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to associate with other NB-ARC-containing polypeptides, such as Apaf-1, thereby altering any process effected by such association between a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and an NB-ARC-containing polypeptide.

[0202] An effective agent can act by interfering with the ability of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to associate with another polypeptide, or can act by causing the dissociation of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide from a complex with a PAAD-associated polypeptide, wherein the ratio of bound PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to free PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is related to the level of a biochemical process, such as apoptosis or NFκB transcriptional activity, in a cell. For example, binding of a ligand to a PAP can allow the PAP, in turn, to bind a specific PAAD domain-containing polypeptide such that all of the specific PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is bound to a PAP.

[0203] An effective agent can be useful, for example, to increase the level of apoptosis in a cell such as a cancer cell, which is characterized by having a decreased level of apoptosis as compared to its normal cell counterpart. An effective agent also can be useful, for example, to decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell such as a T lymphocyte in a subject having a viral disease such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is characterized by an increased level of apoptosis in an infected T cell as compared to a normal T cell. Thus, an effective agent can be useful as a medicament for altering the level of apoptosis in a subject having a pathology characterized by increased or decreased apoptosis. In addition, an effective agent can be used, for example, to decrease the level of apoptosis and, therefore, increase the survival time of a cell such as a hybridoma cell in culture. The use of an effective agent to prolong the survival of a cell in vitro can significantly improve bioproduction yields in industrial tissue culture applications.

[0204] An effective agent can also be useful to increase or decrease NFκB transcriptional activity, and thus can be used to provide effective therapy for conditions mediated, at least in part, by NFκB, including, for example, inflammatory conditions (e.g. inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitus), infections, cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, arthritis, asthma, stroke, heart failure, AIDS, sepsis, trauma, allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease.

[0205] A PAAD domain-containing polypeptide that lacks the ability to bind the CARD domain, NB-ARC domain or LRR domain of another polypeptide but retains the ability to self-associate via its PAAD domain or to bind to other PAAD domain-containing polypeptides is an example of an effective agent, since the expression of a non-NB-ARC-associating or non-catalytically active PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell can alter the association of a the endogenous PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with itself or with PAPs.

[0206] Thus, it should be recognized that a mutation of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be an effective agent, depending, for example, on the normal levels of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAAD-associated polypeptide that occur in a particular cell type. In addition, an active fragment of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be an effective agent, provided the active fragment can alter the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and another polypeptide in a cell. Such active fragments, which can be peptides as small as about five amino acids, can be identified, for example, by screening a peptide library (see, for example, Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No: 5,223,409, which is incorporated herein by reference) to identify peptides that can bind a PAAD-associated polypeptide.

[0207] Similarly, a peptide or polypeptide portion of a PAAD-associated polypeptide also can be an effective agent. A peptide of PAAD-associated polypeptide can be useful, for example, for decreasing the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a PAP in a cell by competing for binding to the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. A non-naturally occurring peptido-mimetic also can be useful as an effective agent. Such a peptido-mimetic can include, for example, a peptoid, which is peptide-like sequence containing N-substituted glycines, or an oligocarbamate. A peptido-mimetic can be particularly useful as an effective agent due, for example, to having an increased stability to enzymatic degradation in vivo.

[0208] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of identifying an effective agent that alters the association of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a PAAD-associated polypeptide (PAP), by the steps of:

[0209] (a) contacting the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides, under conditions that allow the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides to associate, with an agent suspected of being able to alter the association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides; and

[0210] (b) detecting the altered association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides, where the altered association identifies an effective agent.

[0211] Methods well-known in the art for detecting the altered association of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides, for example, measuring protein:protein binding, protein degradation or apoptotic activity can be employed in bioassays described herein to identify agents as agonists or antagonists of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. As described herein, PAAD domain-containing polypeptides have the ability to self-associate. Thus, methods for identifying effective agents that alter the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a PAP are useful for identifying effective agents that alter the ability of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide to self-associate.

[0212] As used herein, “conditions that allow said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP polypeptides to associate” refers to environmental conditions in which a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAP specifically associate. Such conditions will typically be aqueous conditions, with a pH between 3.0 and 11.0, and temperature below 100° C. Preferably, the conditions will be aqueous conditions with salt concentrations below the equivalent of 1 M NaCl, and pH between 5.0 and 9.0, and temperatures between 0° C. and 50° C. Most preferably, the conditions will range from physiological conditions of normal yeast or mammalian cells, or conditions favorable for carrying out in vitro assays such as immunoprecipitation and GST protein:protein association assays, and the like.

[0213] In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for identifying agents that modulate a biological activity of an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, such as ligand interaction or catalytic activity. The method contains the steps of contacting an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with an agent suspected of modulating a ligand binding or biological activity of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and measuring a biological activity of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, where modulated biological activity identifies the agent as an agent that alters the biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0214] As used herein in regard to biological activity, “modulate” refers to an increase or decrease in the measured biological activity. Thus, modulation encompasses inhibition of biological activity as well as activation or enhancement of biological activity. Exemplary biological activities include nucleotide binding, nucleotide hydrolysis and modulation of NFκB activation.

[0215] Methods for measuring ligand binding and other biological activities are well known in the art, as disclosed herein. For example, an agent known or suspected of modulating a biological activity can be contacted with an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in vivo or in vitro, and the activity can be measured using known methods. Exemplary agents that can modulate a biological activity include peptides, peptidomimetics and other peptide analogs, non-peptide organic molecules such as naturally occuring protease inhibitors and derviatives thereof, nucleotides and nucleotide analogs, and the like. Such inhibitors can be either reversible or irreversible, as is well known in the art.

[0216] Agents that modulate a biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide identified using the invention methods can be used to modulate the activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. For example, an agent can modulate the nucleotide binding or nucleotide hydrolytic activity of an NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. In another example, an agent can modulate the NFκB regulatory activity of the PAAD domain. Methods of modulating a biological activity of invention PAAD domain-containing proteins can be used in methods of altering biochemical processes modulated by PAAD domain-containing proteins, such as the biochemical processes disclosed herein.

[0217] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided methods for altering a bioloigcal activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention, the method comprising:

[0218] contacting an PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with an effective amount of an agent identified by the herein-described bioassays.

[0219] The present invention also provides in vitro screening assays. Such screening assays are particularly useful in that they can be automated, which allows for high through-put screening, for example, of randomly or rationally designed agents such as drugs, peptidomimetics or peptides in order to identify those agents that effectively alter the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and a PAP or the catalytic or ligand binding activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and, thereby, alter a biochemical process modulated by a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide such as apoptosis. An in vitro screening assay can utilize, for example, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide including a PAAD domain-containing fusion protein such as a PAAD-glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein. For use in the in vitro screening assay, the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide should have an affinity for a solid substrate as well as the ability to associate with a PAAD-associated polypeptide. For example, when a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is used in the assay, the solid substrate can contain a covalently attached anti-PAAD antibody. Alternatively, a GST/PAAD fusion protein can be used in the assay and the solid substrate can contain covalently attached glutathione, which is bound by the GST component of the GST/PAAD fusion protein. Similarly, a PAAD-associated polypeptide can be used in any of a variety of in vitro enzymatic or in vitro binding assays known in the art and described in texts such as Ausubel et al., supra, 2000.

[0220] An in vitro screening assay can be performed by allowing a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or fragment thereof to bind to the solid support, then adding a PAAD-associated polypeptide and an agent to be tested. Reference reactions, which do not contain an agent, can be performed in parallel. Following incubation under suitable conditions, which include, for example, an appropriate buffer concentration and pH and time and temperature that permit binding of the particular PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and PAAD-associated polypeptide, the amount of protein that has associated in the absence of an agent and in the presence of an agent can be determined. The association of a PAAD-associated polypeptide with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be detected, for example, by attaching a detectable moiety such as a radionuclide or a fluorescent label to a PAAD-associated polypeptide and measuring the amount of label that is associated with the solid support, wherein the amount of label detected indicates the amount of association of the PAAD-associated polypeptide with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. An effective agent is determined by comparing the amount of specific binding in the presence of an agent as compared to a reference level of binding, wherein an effective agent alters the association of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with the PAAD-associated polypeptide. Such an assay is particularly useful for screening a panel of agents such as a peptide library in order to detect an effective agent.

[0221] Additionally, a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or domain thereof, such as a PAAD domain or NB-ARC domain, can be contacted with a candidate agent and association between the polypeptide and the candidate agent determined. Agents that bind in such assays can further be tested for their ability to alter a biological activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or for their ability to alter associations between a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and a PAP.

[0222] Various binding assays described above, such as the two hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation assay, co-localization assay, scintillation proximity assay (SPA), UV or chemical cross-linking, biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA), mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and fluorescence polarization assays (FPA) can be used to identify an effective agent.

[0223] Another assay for screening of agents that alter the activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is based on altering the phenotype of yeast by expressing a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. In one embodiment, expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide can be inducible (Tao et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273:23704-23708 (1998), and the compounds can be screened when PAAD domain-containing polypeptide expression is induced. PAAD domain-containing polypeptides of the invention can also be co-expressed in yeast with PAP polypeptides used to screen for compounds that antagonize the activity of the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.

[0224] A biological activity that can potentially be altered by an agent is PAAD domain-mediated modulation of NFκB activity. An agent that increases or decreases PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity with correspondingly decrease or increase NFκB activity. Such agents can be useful for treating conditions associated with decreased or increased NFκB activity as described herein, including, for example, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and infectious disorders.

[0225] The invention thus provides methods of identifying agents that modulate PAAD domain-mediated inhibition or stimulation of NFκB activity. In one embodiment, a cell that recombinantly expresses a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is contacted with a candidate agent and altered NFκB activity, such as increased or decreased activity, is detected in the cell. As NFκB activity in an unstimulated cell is normally low, such methods can be practiced by contacting the cell with an NFκB inducer, such as TNFα or IL1β, or recombinantly expressing within the cell an NFκB inducer, such as Bcl10, TRAF2, TRAF6, NIK, RIP2, p65, IRAK2, IRAK3, MyD88, RIP, IL-1R, Nod1, IKKα, IKKβ, TNFR1, and the like, such that the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide inhibits the induced level of NFκB activity.

[0226] The skilled person can employ appropriate controls to confirm that the effect of the candidate agent is specific for the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. For example, the effect on NFκB activation of the candidate agent can be compared to the effect in a control cell that does not express nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Additionally, the effect of the candidate agent on NFκB activation can be compared with the effect of a vehicle control not containing the agent.

[0227] Various methods of determining the amount of NFκB activity in a cell are well known in the art. For example, binding assays have been developed that take advantage of the observation that active NFκB, but not inactive NFκB, binds to DNA. Therefore, the binding of a test cell extract to a labeled oligonucleotide containing an NFκB consensus binding site can be assayed. Active NFκB in the cell extract is evidenced by retardation of the mobility of the oligonucleotide band on a gel (Schreck et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 18:6497-6502 (1990); Rusher et al., J. Biotech. 78:163-170 (2000)). An alternative method is to attach an oligonucleotide containing an NFκB consensus binding site to a multiwell plate and detect bound, active NFκB in an ELISA-type assay using NFκB antibodies (Renard et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 29:E21 (2001)).

[0228] An alternative assay for determining the amount of NFκB activity in a cell monitors the cleavage of the NFκB precursors p100 or p105 to the active p50 or p55 subunits (see, for example, Lin et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:2248-2254 (1996); Morgan et al., Cancer Res. 59:6205-6213 (1999); Uren et al., Mol. Cell 6:961-967 (2000)).

[0229] Activity assays can also be used to determine the amount of NFκB activity in a cell. For example, a reporter gene such as the luciferase, β-galactosidase or secretory alkaline phosphatase gene can be placed under the control of a promoter containing the NFκB consensus site. NFκB activity in cells transfected with the reporter construct is evidenced by expression of the product of the reporter gene (Moon et al., Anal. Biochem. 292:17-21 (2001); see Examples).

[0230] Additional methods of monitoring NFκB activation include, for example, monitoring cytoplasmic IκB degradation using antibodies directed against IκB (Sun et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:1346-1350 (1994), and monitoring exposure of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of active NFκB using NLS-specific antibodies (Zabel et al., EMBO J. 12:201-211 (1993)).

[0231] Also provided with the present invention are assays to identify agents that alter PAAD domain-containing polypeptide expression. Methods to determine PAAD domain-containing polypeptide expression can involve detecting a change in PAAD domain-containing polypeptide abundance in response to contacting the cell with an agent that modulates PAAD domain-containing polypeptide expression. Assays for detecting changes in polypeptide expression include, for example, immunoassays with PAAD domain specific antibodies, such as immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation assays, as described herein.

[0232] As understood by those of skill in the art, assay methods for identifying agents that alter PAAD domain-containing polypeptide activity generally require comparison to a reference. One type of a “reference” is a cell or culture that is treated substantially the same as the test cell or test culture exposed to the agent, with the distinction that the “reference” cell or culture is not exposed to the agent. Another type of “reference” cell or culture can be a cell or culture that is identical to the test cells, with the exception that the “reference” cells or culture do not express a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Accordingly, the response of the transfected cell to an agent is compared to the response, or lack thereof, of the “reference” cell or culture to the same agent under the same reaction conditions.

[0233] Methods for producing pluralities of agents to use in screening for compounds that alter the activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, including chemical or biological molecules such as simple or complex organic molecules, metal-containing compounds, carbohydrates, peptides, proteins, peptidomimetics, glycoproteins, lipoproteins, nucleic acids, antibodies, and the like, are well known in the art and are described, for example, in Huse, U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,563; Francis et al., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:422-428 (1998); Tietze et al., Curr. Biol., 2:363-371 (1998); Sofia, Mol. Divers. 3:75-94 (1998); Eichler et al., Med. Res. Rev. 15:481-496 (1995); and the like. Libraries containing large numbers of natural and synthetic agents also can be obtained from commercial sources. Combinatorial libraries of molecules can be prepared using well known combinatorial chemistry methods (Gordon et al., J. Med. Chem. 37: 1233-1251 (1994); Gordon et al., J. Med. Chem. 37: 1385-1401 (1994); Gordon et al., Acc. Chem. Res. 29:144-154 (1996); Wilson and Czarnik, eds., Combinatorial Chemistry: Synthesis and Application, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1997)).

[0234] The invention further provides a method of diagnosing or predicting clinical prognosis of a pathology characterized by an increased or decreased level of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a subject. The method includes the steps of (a) obtaining a test sample from the subject; (b) contacting the sample with an agent that can bind a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention under suitable conditions, wherein the conditions allow specific binding of the agent to the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide; and (c) comparing the amount of the specific binding in the test sample with the amount of specific binding in a reference sample, wherein an increased or decreased amount of the specific binding in the test sample as compared to the reference sample is diagnostic of, or predictive of the clinical prognosis of, a pathology. The agent can be, for example, an anti-PAAD antibody, a PAAD-associated-polypeptide (PAP), or a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid.

[0235] Exemplary pathologies for diagnosis or the prediction of clinical prognosis include any of the pathologies described herein, such as neoplastic pathologies (e.g. cancer), autoimmune diseases, and other pathologies related to abnormal cell proliferation or abnormal cell death (e.g. apoptosis), as disclosed herein.

[0236] The invention also provides a method of diagnosing cancer or monitoring cancer therapy by contacting a test sample from a patient with a PAAD domain specific antibody. The invention additionally provides a method of assessing prognosis (e.g., predicting the clinical prognosis) of patients with cancer comprising contacting a test sample from a patient with a PAAD domain specific antibody.

[0237] The invention additionally provides a method of diagnosing cancer or monitoring cancer therapy by contacting a test sample from a patient with a oligonucleotide that selectively hybridizes to a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule. The invention further provides a method of assessing prognosis (e.g., predicting the clinical prognosis) of patients with cancer by contacting a test sample from a patient with a oligonucleotide that selectively hybridizes to a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule.

[0238] The methods of the invention for diagnosing cancer or monitoring cancer therapy using a PAAD domain specific antibody or oligonucleotide or nucleic acid that selectively hybridizes to a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid molecule can be used, for example, to segregate patients into a high risk group or a low risk group for diagnosing cancer or predicting risk of metastasis or risk of failure to respond to therapy. Therefore, the methods of the invention can be advantageously used to determine, for example, the risk of metastasis in a cancer patient, or the risk of an autoimmune disease of a patient, or as a prognostic indicator of survival or disease progression in a cancer patient or patient with an autoimmune disease. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the prognostic indicators of survival for cancer patients suffering from stage I cancer can be different from those for cancer patients suffering from stage IV cancer. For example, prognosis for stage I cancer patients can be oriented toward the likelihood of continued growth and/or metastasis of the cancer, whereas prognosis for stage IV cancer patients can be oriented toward the likely effectiveness of therapeutic methods for treating the cancer. Accordingly, the methods of the invention directed to measuring the level of or determining the presence of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid can be used advantageously as a prognostic indicator for the presence or progression of a cancer or response to therapy.

[0239] The invention further provides methods for introducing a PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid into a cell in a subject, for example, for gene therapy. Viruses are specialized infectious agents that can elude host defense mechanisms and can infect and propagate in specific cell types. Viral based systems provide the advantage of being able to introduce relatively high levels of the heterologous nucleic acid into a variety of cells. Suitable viral vectors for introducing an invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid into mammalian cells (e.g., vascular tissue segments) are well known in the art.

[0240] The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions useful for practicing the therapeutic methods described herein. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention, such as pharmaceutical compositions, contain a physiologically compatible carrier together with an invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptide (or functional fragment thereof), an invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, an agent that alters PAAD activity or expression identified by the methods described herein, or an anti-PAAD antibody, as described herein, dissolved or dispersed therein as an active ingredient. In a preferred embodiment, the therapeutic composition is not immunogenic when administered to a mammal or human patient for therapeutic purposes.

[0241] As used herein, the terms “pharmaceutically acceptable”, “physiologically compatible” and grammatical variations thereof, as they refer to compositions, carriers, diluents and reagents, are used interchangeably and represent that the materials are capable of administration to a mammal without the production of undesirable physiological effects such as nausea, dizziness, gastric upset, and the like.

[0242] The preparation of a pharmacological composition that contains active ingredients dissolved or dispersed therein is well known in the art. Typically such compositions are prepared as injectables either as liquid solutions or suspensions; however, solid forms suitable for solution, or suspension, in liquid prior to use can also be prepared. The preparation can also be emulsified.

[0243] The active ingredient can be mixed with excipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active ingredient in amounts suitable for use in the therapeutic methods described herein. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like, as well as combinations of any two or more thereof. In addition, if desired, the composition can contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, and the like, which enhance the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

[0244] Physiologically tolerable carriers are well known in the art. Exemplary liquid carriers are sterile aqueous solutions that contain no materials in addition to the active ingredients and water, or contain a buffer such as sodium phosphate at physiological pH, physiological saline or both, such as phosphate-buffered saline. Still further, aqueous carriers can contain more than one buffer salt, as well as salts such as sodium and potassium chlorides, dextrose, polyethylene glycol and other solutes.

[0245] As described herein, an “effective amount” is a predetermined amount calculated to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, i.e., to alter the protein binding activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or the catalytic activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, resulting in altered biochemical process modulated by a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. The required dosage will vary with the particular treatment and with the duration of desired treatment; however, it is anticipated that dosages between about 10 micrograms and about 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day will be used for therapeutic treatment. It may be particularly advantageous to administer such agents in depot or long-lasting form as discussed herein. A therapeutically effective amount is typically an amount of an agent identified herein that, when administered in a physiologically acceptable composition, is sufficient to achieve a plasma concentration of from about 0.1 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml, preferably from about 1.0 μg/ml to about 50 μg/ml, more preferably at least about 2 μg/ml and usually 5 to 10 μg/ml. Therapeutic invention anti-PAAD antibodies can be administered in proportionately appropriate amounts in accordance with known practices in this art.

[0246] Also provided herein are methods of treating pathologies characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, abnormal cell death, or inflammation said method comprising administering an effective amount of an invention therapeutic composition. Such compositions are typically administered in a physiologically compatible composition.

[0247] Exemplary abnormal cell proliferation diseases associated with PAAD domain-containing polypeptides contemplated herein for treatment according to the present invention include cancer pathologies, keratinocyte hyperplasia, neoplasia, keloid, benign prostatic hypertrophy, inflammatory hyperplasia, fibrosis, smooth muscle cell proliferation in arteries following balloon angioplasty (restenosis), and the like. Exemplary cancer pathologies contemplated herein for treatment include, gliomas, carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, sarcomas, melanomas, hamartomas, leukemias, lymphomas, and the like. Further diseases associated with PAAD domain-containing polypeptides contemplated herein for treatment according to the present invention include inflammatory diseases and diseases of cell loss. Such diseases include allergies, inflammatory diseases including arthritis, lupus, Schrogen's syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, as well as allograft rejection, such as graft-versus-host disease, and the like. PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can also be useful in design of strategies for preventing diseases related to abnormal cell death in conditions such as stroke, myopyrinial infarction, heart failure, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and for immunodeficiency associated diseases such as HIV infection, HIV-related disease, and the like.

[0248] Methods of treating pathologies can include methods of modulating the activity of one or more oncogenic proteins, wherein the oncogenic proteins specifically interact with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of the invention. Methods of modulating the activity of such oncogenic proteins will include contacting the oncogenic protein with a substantially pure PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or an active fragment (i.e., oncogenic protein-binding fragment) thereof. This contacting will alter the activity of the oncogenic protein, thereby providing a method of treating a pathology caused by the oncogenic protein. Further methods of modulating the activity of oncogenic proteins will include contacting the oncogenic protein with an agent, wherein the agent alters interaction between a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide and an oncogenic protein.

[0249] Also contemplated herein, are therapeutic methods using invention pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of pathological disorders in which there is too little cell division, such as, for example, bone marrow aplasias, immunodeficiencies due to a decreased number of lymphocytes, and the like. Methods of treating a variety of inflammatory diseases with invention therapeutic compositions are also contemplated herein, such as treatment of sepsis, fibrosis (e.g., scarring), arthritis, graft versus host disease, and the like.

[0250] The present invention also provides methods for diagnosing a pathology that is characterized by an increased or decreased level of a biochemical process to determine whether the increased or decreased level of the biochemical process is due, for example, to increased or decreased expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or to expression of a variant PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. As disclosed herein, such biochemical processes include apoptosis, NFκB induction, cytokine processing, caspase-mediated proteolysis, transcription, inflammation, cell adhesion, and the like. The identification of such a pathology, which can be due to altered association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a PAAD-associated polypeptide in a cell, or altered ligand binding or catalytic activity of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, can allow for intervention therapy using an effective agent or a nucleic acid molecule or an antisense or dsRNA nucleotide sequence as described herein. In general, a test sample can be obtained from a subject having a pathology characterized by having or suspected of having increased or decreased apoptosis and can be compared to a reference sample from a normal subject to determine whether a cell in the test sample has, for example, increased or decreased expression of a PAAD domain encoding gene. The level of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell can be determined by contacting a sample with a reagent such as an anti-PAAD antibody or a PAAD-associated polypeptide, either of which can specifically bind a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. For example, the level of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell can determined by well known immunoassay or immunohistochemical methods using an anti-PAAD antibody (see, for example, Reed and Godzik et al., Anal. Biochem. 205:70-76 (1992); see, also, Harlow and Lane, supra, (1988)). As used herein, the term “reagent” means a chemical or biological molecule that can specifically bind to a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or to a bound PAAD/PAAD-associated polypeptide complex. For example, either an anti-PAAD antibody or a PAAD-associated polypeptide can be a reagent for a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, whereas either an anti-PAAD antibody or an anti-PAAD-associated polypeptide antibody can be a reagent for a PAAD:PAAD-associated polypeptide complex.

[0251] As used herein, the term “test sample” means a cell or tissue specimen that is obtained from a subject and is to be examined for expression of a PAAD domain encoding gene in a cell in the sample. A test sample can be obtained, for example, during surgery or by needle biopsy and can be examined using the methods described herein to diagnose a pathology characterized by increased or decreased apoptosis. Increased or decreased expression of a PAAD domain encoding gene in a cell in a test sample can be determined, for example, by comparison to an expected normal level of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or PAAD domain encoding mRNA in a particular cell type. A normal range of PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or PAAD domain encoding mRNA levels in various cell types can be determined by sampling a statistically significant number of normal subjects. In addition, a reference sample can be evaluated in parallel with a test sample in order to determine whether a pathology characterized by increased or decreased apoptosis is due to increased or decreased expression of a PAAD domain encoding gene. The test sample can be examined using, for example, immunohistochemical methods as described above or the sample can be further processed and examined. For example, an extract of a test sample can be prepared and examined to determine whether a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in the sample can associate with a PAAD-associated polypeptide in the same manner as a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide from a reference cell or whether, instead, a variant PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is expressed in the cell.

[0252] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided diagnostic systems, preferably in kit form, comprising at least one invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, and/or anti-PAAD antibody described herein, in a suitable packaging material. In one embodiment, for example, the diagnostic nucleic acids are derived from any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27. Invention diagnostic systems are useful for assaying for the presence or absence of PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid in either genomic DNA or in transcribed PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, such as mRNA or cDNA.

[0253] A suitable diagnostic system includes at least one invention PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid, PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, and/or anti-PAAD antibody, preferably two or more invention nucleic acids, proteins and/or antibodies, as a separately packaged chemical reagent(s) in an amount sufficient for at least one assay. Instructions for use of the packaged reagent are also typically included. Those of skill in the art can readily incorporate invention nucleic acid probes and/or primers into kit form in combination with appropriate buffers and solutions for the practice of the invention methods as described herein.

[0254] As employed herein, the phrase “packaging material” refers to one or more physical structures used to house the contents of the kit, such as invention nucleic acid probes or primers, and the like. The packaging material is constructed by well known methods, preferably to provide a sterile, contaminant-free environment. The packaging material has a label which indicates that the invention nucleic acids can be used for detecting a particular PAAD domain encoding sequence including the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27 or mutations or deletions therein, thereby diagnosing the presence of, or a predisposition for a pathology such as cancer or an autoimmune disease. In addition, the packaging material contains instructions indicating how the materials within the kit are employed both to detect a particular sequence and diagnose the presence of, or a predisposition for a pathology such as cancer or an autoimmune disease.

[0255] The packaging materials employed herein in relation to diagnostic systems are those customarily utilized in nucleic acid-based diagnostic systems. As used herein, the term “package” refers to a solid matrix or material such as glass, plastic, paper, foil, and the like, capable of holding within fixed limits an isolated nucleic acid, oligonucleotide, or primer of the present invention. Thus, for example, a package can be a glass vial used to contain milligram quantities of a contemplated nucleic acid, oligonucleotide or primer, or it can be a microtiter plate well to which microgram quantities of a contemplated nucleic acid probe have been operatively affixed.

[0256] “Instructions for use” typically include a tangible expression describing the reagent concentration or at least one assay method parameter, such as the relative amounts of reagent and sample to be admixed, maintenance time periods for reagent/sample admixtures, temperature, buffer conditions, and the like.

[0257] A diagnostic assay should include a simple method for detecting the amount of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or PAAD domain encoding nucleic acid in a sample that is bound to the reagent. Detection can be performed by labeling the reagent and detecting the presence of the label using well known methods (see, for example, Harlow and Lane, supra, 1988; chap. 9, for labeling an antibody). A reagent can be labeled with various detectable moieties including a radiolabel, an enzyme, biotin or a fluorochrome. Materials for labeling the reagent can be included in the diagnostic kit or can be purchased separately from a commercial source. Following contact of a labeled reagent with a test sample and, if desired, a control sample, specifically bound reagent can be identified by detecting the particular moiety.

[0258] A labeled antibody that can specifically bind the reagent also can be used to identify specific binding of an unlabeled reagent. For example, if the reagent is an anti-PAAD antibody, a second antibody can be used to detect specific binding of the anti-PAAD antibody. A second antibody generally will be specific for the particular class of the first antibody. For example, if an anti-PAAD antibody is of the IgG class, a second antibody will be an anti-IgG antibody. Such second antibodies are readily available from commercial sources. The second antibody can be labeled using a detectable moiety as described above. When a sample is labeled using a second antibody, the sample is first contacted with a first antibody, then the sample is contacted with the labeled second antibody, which specifically binds to the first antibody and results in a labeled sample.

[0259] All patents, publications and database sequences mentioned herein are incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto. The invention will now be described in greater detail by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

[0260] 1.0 Identification of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides

[0261] The sequence of the N-terminal 100 amino acid fragment of the pyrin protein (Genbank Accession # NP00234; Pras, 1998, Scand. J. Rheumatol., 27:92-97) was used to perform a cascade of PSI-BLAST searches until no new hits were found. Lower significance hits from this procedure (called Saturated BLAST) were confirmed using the profile-to-profile alignment algorithm FFAS (Rychlewski et al., 2000, Protein Science 9:232-241) against a library of apoptosis-related domains. Proteins suspected of having a PAAD domain were added to the Saturated BLAST and FFAS databases and the FFAS similarity score was used to accept or reject the putative PAAD domains. Most of the proteins identified in FIGS. 1 and 2 could be connected with each other with PSI-BLAST significance better than 0.001 and/or the FFAS Z-score better than 10. The weakest link in the chain is the connection between the AIM2/IFI16 branch and the rest of the family (pyrin/ASC/caspase/NAC), with 0.05 PSI-BLAST E-value and FFAS Z-score of 8. The latter value was independently verified on a protein structure benchmark to give a correct match in more than 99% of cases (Rychlewski et al. supra). The same link was also confirmed by independent application of the Gibbs sampling algorithm (Lawrence, C. et al. (1993) Science 262:208-14), where sequence patterns identified in the pyrin/ASC/caspase branch of the family could be consistently used to find the AIM2/IFI16 group, albeit with low significance. In accordance with the present invention, this Saturated BLAST procedure resulted in the identification of several putative PAAD homologues in the unfinished nucleotide databases.

[0262] The process of gene identification and assembling include the following steps:

[0263] A) Identification of new candidate PAAD containing polypeptides. A iterative database search was performed using the TBLASTN program with the PAAD domain of pyrin and all other identified PAAD domains as the query in the following NCBI databases: high throughput genome sequence (HTGS), genomic survey sequence (GSS) and expressed sequence tag (EST) databases.

[0264] B) Verification that the new candidate PAAD domain-containing polypeptide is novel. Using PSI-BLAST, each new candidate PAAD domain gene was queried in the annotated non-redundant (NR) database at NCBI. When the new candidate gene showed significant but not identical homology with other known PAAD domain-containing polypeptides during this search, the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide candidate was kept for further analysis.

[0265] C) 3-D-Model Building of new candidate PAAD domain polypeptide: When the sequence homology was low (<25% identity), three-dimensional criteria was added to characterization of new PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. The candidate PAAD domain fragment was analyzed by a profile-profile sequence comparison method which aligns the candidate PAAD domain with a database of sequences of known three-dimensional structure. From this analysis, a sequence alignment was produced and a model three-dimensional structure was built using DD, DED and CARD domains as templates. In most cases, the best score was produced using PAAD domain sequences having known three-dimensional structures. The quality of the three-dimensional model obtained from the alignments confirmed that novel PAAD domain-containing polypeptides had been identified. D) Identification of additional domains in the full length protein. Full length protein sequences were obtained using the new PAAD domain identified in step B as query. TBLASTN searches of the sequences containing the newly identified PAAD domains were performed. Longer aligned fragments or multiple aligned fragments in the accession number corresponding to the newly identified PAAD domain-containing polypeptides indicated a longer PAAD domain-containing protein.

[0266] E) These additional domains were assembled using the following gene building procedure:

[0267] Genomic DNA fragments identified by T-BLAST-N analysis were extended and identified using exon prediction programs, such as Genescan, GRAIL, ORF-find, and the like; searching in both directions until start and stop codons were identified.

[0268] 2.0 Identification of PAAD Domain-containing Polypeptides PAN2-6, Pyrin2 and ASC2.

[0269] Nucleic acids encoding PAAD domain-containing proteins corresponding to PAN2, PAN3, PAN4, PAN5, PAN6, Pyrin2 and ASC2 were identified from different PAAD domain queries using tblastn and systematically scanning gss, htgs, and all EST databases at NCBI. Further analysis using translated genomic fragments containing PAAD domains, which fragments were larger than the PAAD domain itself as query, were performed to identify additional domains. Genomic DNA were translated in all reading frames and examined for additional domains using psi-blast and nr database. Using this strategy, additional domains of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides, including a NB-ARC domain, LRR repeat and ANGIO-R domain, were identified.

[0270] 3.0 Cloning and Sequencing of Large cDNA

[0271] For cDNA larger than 1500 bp, cloning is accomplished by amplification of multiple fragments of the cDNA. Jurkat total RNA is reverse-transcribed to complementary DNAs using MMLV reverse transcriptase (Stratagene) and random hexanucleotide primers. Overlapping cDNA fragments of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide are amplified from the Jurkat complementary DNAs with Turbo Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) using an oligonucleotide primer set for every 1500 bp of cDNA, where the amplified cDNA fragment contains a unique restriction site near the end that is to be ligated with an adjacent amplified cDNA fragment.

[0272] The resultant cDNA fragments are ligated into mammalian expression vector pcDNA-myc (Invitrogen, modified as described in Roy et al., EMBO J. 16:6914-6925 (1997)) and assembled to full-length cDNA by consecutively ligating adjacent fragments at the unique endonuclease sites form the full-length cDNA. Sequencing analysis of the assembled full-length cDNA is carried out, and splice isoforms of PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can be identified.

[0273] 4.0 Plasmid Constructions

[0274] Complementary DNA encoding a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof is amplified from Jurkat cDNAs with Turbo Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) and desired primers, such as those described above. The resultant PCR fragments are digested with restriction enzymes such as EcoRI and Xho I and ligated into pGEX-4T1 (Pharmacia) and pcDNA-myc vectors.

[0275] 5.0 In vitro Protein Binding Assays

[0276] PAAD domain-containing or fragments thereof encoded in pGEX-4T1 are expressed in XL-1 blue E. coli cells (Stratagene), and affinity-purified using glutathione (GSH)-sepharose according to known methods, such as those in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al. eds., John Wiley and Sons (1999). For GST pull-down assays, purified PAAD domain GST fusion proteins and GST alone (0.1-0.5 μg immobilized on 10-15 μl GSH-sepharose beads) are incubated with 1 mg/ml of BSA in 100 μpl Co-IP buffer [142.4 mM KCl, 5 mM M_(g)Cl₂, 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4), 0.5 mM EGTA, 0.2% NP-40, 1 mM DTT, and 1 mM PMSF] for 30 min. at room temperature. The beads are then incubated with 1 μl of rat reticulocyte lysates (TnT-lysate; Promega, Inc.) containing ³⁵S-labeled, in vitro translated PAAD domain-containing or control protein Skp-1 in 100 μl Co-IP buffer supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml BSA for overnight at 4° C. The beads are washed four times in 500 μl Co-IP buffer, followed by boiling in 20 μl Laemmli-SDS sample buffer. The eluted proteins are analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The bands of SDS-PAGE gels are detected by fluorography.

[0277] The resultant oligomerization pattern will reveal that PAAD:PAAD and other protein:protein interactions occur with invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides (e.g., PAN2 through PAN6, and the like) or fragments thereof.

[0278] In vitro translated candidate PAAD-associated polypeptides, along with a control, are subjected to GST pull-down assay using GSH-sepharose beads conjugated with GST and GST-PAAD domain-containing polypeptides as described above. Lanes containing GST-PAAD domain yield positive binding signals when incubated with a PAAD-associated polypeptide selected from Apaf-1, CED4, Nodl/CARD4, ASC-1, CARDX1, pro-Casp1, pro-Casp2, pro-Casp4, pro-Casp5, pro-Casp7, pro-Casp11, pro-Casp12, pro-Casp14, CED3, Dronc, Raidd/CRADD, Cardiak (RIP2, Rick), Bcl-1/CIPER, ARC, NOP30, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, Fadd/mort1, pro-Casp8, pro-Casp10, Dredd, c-Flip/flame, KSV/V-Flip, MCV, DEDD/DEFT, PEA-15, Flash, BAP31, BAR, RIP, IRAK-1, IRAK-2, IRAK-M, My D88, NMP-84, Ankyrin-1, Ankyrin-3, TNFR1, NGFR, Fas, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, Tradd, Fadd, Raidd2, DAP Kinase, NIK, IKKα, IKKβ, IκB, p65, p50, IKAP, pyrin, pyrin2, PAN1, PAN2, PAN3, PAN4, PAN5, PAN6, ASC, ASC2, NAC, AIM2, IFI16, MO13L, p52, p100, p105, ParaCaspase (MALT1), and all members of the NFκB/IκB families, whereas, the controls GST alone and Skp-1 yield negligible signals.

[0279] 6.0 Self-Association of NB-ARC Domain of PAAD Domain-containing Polypeptides

[0280] In vitro translated,³⁵S-labeled rabbit reticulocyte lysates (1 μl) containing an NB-ARC domain of an invention PAN protein or a control protein, such as SKP-1, are incubated with GSH-sepharose beads conjugated with purified GST-NB-ARC or GST alone for GST pull-down assay, resolved on SDS-PAGE and visualized by fluorography as described above. One tenth of input is loaded for NB-ARC or Skp-1 as controls. The results indicate that the NB-ARC domains of invention PAN proteins can self-associate by binding through the NB-ARC domains.

[0281] 7.0 Protein-Protein Interactions of PAAD Domain-containing Polypeptides

[0282] Transient transfections of 293T, a human embryonic kidney fibroblast cell line, are conducted using SuperFect reagents (Qiagen) according to manufacturer's instructions. 293T cells are transiently transfected with an expression plasmid (2 μg) encoding HA-tagged Apaf-1, CED4, Nod1/CARD4, ASC-1, CARDX1, pro-Casp1, pro-Casp2, pro-Casp4, pro-Casp5, pro-Casp7, pro-Casp11, pro-Casp12, pro-Casp14, CED3, Dronc, Raidd/CRADD, Cardiak (RIP2, Rick), Bcl-1/CIPER, ARC, NOP30, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, Fadd/mort1, pro-Casp8, pro-Casp10, Dredd, c-Flip/flame, KSV/V-Flip, MCV, DEDD/DEFT, PEA-15, Flash, BAP31, BAR, RIP, IRAK-1, IRAK-2, IRAK-M, My D88, NMP-84, Ankyrin-1, Ankyrin-3, TNFR1, NGFR, Fas, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, Tradd, Fadd, Raidd2, DAP Kinase, NIK, IKKα, IKKβ, IκB, p65, p50, IKAP, pyrin, pyrin2, PAN1, PAN2, PAN3, PAN4, PAN5, PAN6, ASC, ASC2, NAC, AIM2, IFI16, M013L, p52, p100, p105, ParaCaspase (MALT1), and all members of the NFκB/IκB families, or the like, in the presence or absence of a plasmid (2 μg) encoding a myc-tagged PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. After 24 hr growth in culture, transfected cells are collected and lysed in Co-IP buffer [142.4 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4), 0.5 mM EGTA, 0.1 % NP-40, and 1 mM DTT] supplemented with 12.5 mM β-glycerolphosphate, 2 mM NaF, 1 mM Na₃VO₄, 1 mM PMSF, and 1X protenase inhibitor mix (Boehringer Mannheim). Cell lysates are clarified by microcentrifugation and subjected to immunoprecipitation using either a mouse monoclonal antibody to myc (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc) or a control mouse IgG. Proteins from the immune complexes are resolved by SDS-PAGE, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and subjected to immunoblot analysis using anti-HA antibodies followed by anti-myc antibodies using a standard Western blotting procedure and ECL reagents from Amersham-Pharmacia Biotechnologies, Inc. (Krajewski et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:5752-5757 (1999)).

[0283] The results indicate that invention PAAD domain-containing polypeptides can bind to themselves (e.g., homodimers, and the like) and to one or more polypeptides selected from Apaf-1, CED4, Nodl/CARD4, ASC-1, CARDX1, pro-Casp1, pro-Casp2, pro-Casp4, pro-Casp5, pro-Casp7, pro-Casp11, pro-Casp12, pro-Casp14, CED3, Dronc, Raidd/CRADD, Cardiak (RIP2, Rick), Bcl-1/CIPER, ARC, NOP30, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, Fadd/mort1, pro-Casp8, pro-Casp10, Dredd, c-Flip/flame, KSV/V-Flip, MCV, DEDD/DEFT, PEA-15, Flash, BAP31, BAR, RIP, IRAK-1, IRAK-2, IRAK-M, My D88, NMP-84, Ankyrin-1, Ankyrin-3, TNFR1, NGFR, Fas, DR3, DR4, DR5, DR6, Tradd, Fadd, Raidd2, DAP Kinase, NIK, IKKα, IKKβ, IκB, p65, p50, IKAP, pyrin, pyrin2, PAN1, PAN2, PAN3, PAN4, PAN5, PAN6, ASC, ASC2, NAC, AIM2, IFI16, M013L, p52, p100, p105, ParaCaspase (MALT1), and all members of the NFκB/IκB families.

[0284] 8.0 Cloning and Characterization of PAN2

[0285] As a first step in cloning PAN2 cDNA, RT-PCR was performed on total RNA from HeLa cells using oligo dT to prime the first-strand synthesis and then 2 PAN2-specific primers designated Pan2/5′:

[0286] 5′-CCGGAATTCACCATGGCAGCCTCTTTCTTCTCTGATTTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:35) and Pan2/3′: 5′-CCGCTCGAGTCACGTAGAGCTGTGTTCATCCTCTTTCTTAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:36). These primers were designed based on the predicted PAN2 open reading frame identified in the genomic sequence AC022066, as described in Example 2.0. The ATG of PAN2 and an artificial stop codon inserted after amino acid 620 are underlined in SEQ ID NOS:35 and 36, respectively. EcoRI and XhoI restriction sites are shown in italics in SEQ ID NOS:35 and 36, respectively. The resulting PCR product was cloned into a pcDNA3Myc expression vector at the EcoRI(5′) and XhoI(3′), and sequenced.

[0287] A BLAST search of the human EST database was then performed using the partial PAN2 sequence. Several EST clones were identified, and several corresponding I.M.A.G.E. Consortium cDNA clones (Lennon et al., Genomics 33;151-152 (1996)) were obtained. I.M.A.G.E. Consortium CloneID 3139498, corresponding to EST GenBank Accession Number BE278926, was sequenced and determined to contain full-length PAN2 cDNA, including the stop codon, the 3′ UTR of the gene and the poly-A tail.

[0288] The complete coding sequence of PAN2 was cloned by PCR from I.M.A.G.E. Consortium CloneID 3139498 by PCR, using as the 5′ primer SEQ ID NO:35 and as the 3′ primer Pan2STOP4: 5′-CCTCTCGAGTCAGATCTCTACCCTTGTGATTGTGTCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:40). The PAN2 cDNA was independently amplified from HeLa cells using overlapping primers to confirm that the I.M.A.G.E. clone contained an intact, single cDNA. The PAN2 cDNA coding sequence (SEQ ID NO:15) is 2985 nucleotides and encodes an amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:16) of 995 amino acids.

[0289] Several domains within PAN2 were identified, based on homology with known proteins. The PAAD domain (SEQ ID NO:2) corresponds to amino acids 14-89 of SEQ ID NO:16. The nucleotide-binding domain (NB-ARC) (SEQ ID NO:37) corresponds to amino acids 147-336 of SEQ ID NO:16. The Angiotensin receptor-like domain (AR-like) (SEQ ID NO:38) corresponds to amino acids 465-605 of SEQ ID NO:16. The Leucine rich region (LRR) (SEQ ID NO:39) corresponds to amino acids 620-995 of SEQ ID NO:16.

[0290] Expression of PAN2 in human tissues was determined using a panel of Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.) first-strand cDNAs to amplify a region of PAN2 corresponding to the NB-ARC domain (amino acids 147-465), following manufacturer's recommended procedures. PAN2 was found to be expressed in several human tissues, including placenta, lung, liver, muscle, kidney, pancreas, spleen, thymus, prostate, testis and ovary.

[0291] In order to determine whether the PAAD domain of PAN2 is able to self-associate, fusions of the PAN2 PAAD domain (amino acids 1-89 of SEQ ID NO:16) and PAN2(1-620)(amino acids 1-620 of SEQ ID NO:16) with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were constructed, expressed in bacteria and attached to glutathione beads. The GST fusion proteins were used to pull down in vitro-translated PAN2 PAAD or PAN2(1-620). GST alone and GST-CD40 were used as controls. The PAAD domain of PAN2 was determined not to self-associate or to associate with PAN2. However, PAN2(1-620) was determined to self-associate, likely through its NB-ARC domain. Therefore, the PAAD domain is likely not involved in PAN2/PAN2 interactions.

[0292] The effect of expression of the PAN2 PAAD domain on NFκKB activation by the TNFα pathway and the IL-1β pathway were assessed as follows. 10,000 293N cells were seeded into 96-well plates and cells were transfected the following day using SuperFect™ transfection reagent (Qiagen, Venlo, The Netherlands) with 10 ng of pNFκB-luc and 2.5 ng of thymidine kinase promoter-Renilla luciferase (pRL-TK) reporter vectors (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.), together with 100 ng of plasmids encoding proteins in the TNF-α, pathway (PCMV TNFR1, pcDNA3 Traf2 or pcDNA3HA RIP) or in the IL-1β pathway (pCMVFlag IL-1R, pcDNA3His MyD88, pcDNA3HA IRAK3 or pcDNA3HA Traf6), and either 400 ng of pcDNA3Myc (“Empty”) or 400 ng of pcDNA3Myc PAAD 1-89 (“PAAD”). After 36 hours, cells were harvested and luciferase activities were determined using the Dual Luciferase System (Promega, Madison, Wis.).

[0293] The results of the luciferase assays for cells transfected with molecules in the TNFα pathway are shown in Table 1, below. For the “TNFα” condition, cells were stimulated with 10 ng TNFα for 6-8 hours prior to lysis. The numbers indicate the fold induction of NFκB activity. TABLE 1 TNFR1 TNFα TRAF2 RIP EMPTY 20.04 21.05 33.53 53.93 PAAD2 19.62 7.14 15.75 23.51

[0294] The results of the luciferase assays for cells transfected with molecules in the IL-1 pathway are shown in Table 2, below. The numbers indicate the fold induction of NFκB activity. TABLE 2 IL1R MyD88 IRAK2 TRAF6 EMPTY 6 28.16 10.27 28.17 PAAD2 4.27 21.23 4.58 20.41

[0295] The results of the NFκB activation assays shown in Tables 1 and 2 indicate that expression of the PAAD domain of PAN2 significantly inhibits NFκB activation by either the TNFα or the IL-1β pathway.

[0296] Expression of full-length PAN2 was also demonstrated to inhibit NFκB activation by either the TNFα or the IL-1β pathway. At the same DNA concentration, the inhibition of NFκB activation following transfection with pcDNA3Myc PAN2 was almost the same as the extent of inhibition following transfection with pcDNA3Myc PAAD 1-89. It was concluded that inhibition of NFκB activation by PAN2 was mediated by the PAAD domain.

[0297] In order to determine whether PAN2 affects activation of NFκB mediated by upstream components in the NFκB activation pathway, plasmids encoding either NIK (pCMV-NIK), IKKα (pRE-HA-IKKα) or IKKβ (pRE-HA-IKKβ) were co-transfected into 293N cells as described above with from 10 ng to 300 ng of pcDNA3Myc PAN2 or with empty vector, together with 10 ng of pNFκB-luc and 2.5 ng of pTK-RL. Luciferase activities determined as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, PAN2 expression dose-dependently blocked the activation of NFκB mediated by either NIK, IKKOα or IKKβ. Therefore, PAN2 acts downstream of the IκB kinase complex.

[0298] NFκB is normally sequestered into the cytoplasm of nonstimulated cells by a family of inhibitory proteins, called IκB (α, β, γ and ε). Exposure of cells to various stimuli leads to the rapid phosphorylation, ubiquitination and proteolytic degradation of IκB, which frees NFκB to translocate to the nucleus where it regulates gene expression. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that the PAN2 inhibitory effect on NFκB activation could be related to IκB. To test this hypothesis, the in vivo interactions between PAN2 and IκBA were determined.

[0299] For co-immunoprecipitation experiments, HEK293T cells were seeded at 3×10⁶ cells per well in 100 mm dishes and transfected with 6-8 μg plasmid DNA using Lipofectamine Plus™ transfection reagent (GIBCO) 24 hours later. After culturing for 36 hours, cells were collected, washed in PBS and lysed in isotonic lysis buffer [150 or 500 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.4), 1% NP-40, 12.5 mM β-glycerophosphate, 2 mM NaF, 1 mM Na₃V0 ₄, 1 mM PMSF, and 1×protease inhibitor mix (Roche). Lysates were clarified by centrifugation and subjected to immunoprecipitation using agarose-conjugated anti-c-Myc antibodies (Santa Cruz) or anti-FlagM2 antibodies (Sigma) or non-specific control antibodies and Protein G-agarose for 2-4 hours at 4° C. Immune-complexes were washed 3-5 times with lysis buffer and once with PBS, boiled in 1.5×Laemmli buffer, and separated by 12-15% PAGE. Immune-complexes were then transferred to PVDF membranes (Millipore) and immunoblotted with anti-c-Myc (Santa Cruz) or anti-Flag (Sigma) antibodies in 5% dry milk in TBS-T. Membranes were washed, incubated with HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies, and reactive proteins were detected using ECL.

[0300] As shown in FIG. 6, Flag-tagged IκBα co-immunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged PAN2 (“f.l.”) when both plasmids were expressed in 293T cells.

[0301] In order to determine which domain of PAN2 is responsible for association with IκB, the following constructs were co-expressed in 293T cells with Flag-tagged IκBα or an empty Flag-tagged vector: Myc-tagged full-length PAN2, Myc-tagged PAN2 ALRR (amino acids 1-619 of PAN2), Myc-tagged PAN2PAAD (amino acids 1-89 of PAN2), Myc-tagged PAN2NBARC (amino acids 147-465 of PAN2), or Myc-tagged PAN2AR-like (amino acids 336-605 of PAN2). Immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assays were performed as described above.

[0302] As shown in FIG. 6, Flag-tagged IκBα co-immunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged full-length PAN2 (“f.1.”), Myc-tagged PAN2 ΔLRR, and Myc-tagged PAN2NBARC, each of which contained the NBARC domain, but not with Myc-tagged PAN2PAAD or Myc-tagged PAN2AR-like.

[0303] These results indicate that the NBARC domain of PAN2 is responsible for association with IκBα, whereas the PAAD domain of PAN2 is responsible for inhibition of NFκB interaction.

[0304] 9.0 Cloning and Characterization of PAN5

[0305] In order to clone PAN5 cDNA, first strand cDNA was synthesized at 42° C. for 1 hour from HeLa total RNA (1 μg) using the PAN5 specific primer (300 ng): L1515 (reverse): TTGCTCGAGTCATCTGAATAC (SEQ ID NO:53), and the ProStart Ultra HF RT-PCR system (Stratagene) as described by the manufacturer. A control mRNA and primers provided in the kit were also used (positive control). The completed first-strand cDNA was used for PCR amplification using Pfu DNA polymerase (2.5 units) and PANS-specific primers (100 ng each), U1( forward): ATGGCCATGGCCAAGGC CAGAAAGC (SEQ ID NO:54) and L1515 (reverse): TTGCTCGAGTCATCTGAATAC (SEQ ID NO:55). The following PCR conditions were used: 4′ hot start at 94° C., 35 cycles of 94° C. denaturation for 1 minute, 44° C. annealing for 1 minute and extension at 72° C. for 2 minutes and a final 10 minute extension at 72° C. A 1515 bp PCR product corresponding to PANS was observed on an agarose gel. The resultant PCR product was cloned into pcDNA4-His/Max Topo (Invitrogen) following the recommendations of the manufacturer.

[0306] The PAAD domain of PANS (“PAAD5”), corresponding to bp34-271 of PANS cDNA (SEQ ID NO:21), encoding amino acids 12-90 of SEQ ID NO:22, was amplified by PCR from a HeLa cDNA library using the primer set EA-PACS-Eco-U34: GAATTCCTCTGGGCCTTGAGTGACCTTGAG (SEQ ID NO:51) and EA-PAC5-Xho-St-L271: CCAGCCGACCTCGAGCAGTCAAATATGGC (SEQ ID NO:52). PCR reactions contained in a total volume of 50 μl: 10×PCR buffer, 20 mM each dNTPs, amplitaq polymerase (0.5 U), 100 ng HeLa cDNA, 50ng of each primer and 10% DMSO. The same mixture lacking DNA was used as a negative control. The PCR conditions used were as follows: the DNA was first denatured for 3 minutes (hot start). The primer mixture was then added and for 30 subsequent cycles of PCR, the samples were denatured at 94° C. for 30 seconds, annealed at 44° C. for 30 seconds and extended at 72° C. for 1 minute. The 30 cycles of PCR were followed by a 10 minute extension at 72° C.

[0307] The PAAD5 domain was first cloned into pCR-II-Topo, sequence-verified and then digested with EcoR1/Xho1. The digest was then analyzed by gel electrophoresis and the 238 bp band containing the PAAD5 domain gel purified for subcloning into pcDNA3-Myc at the EcoRI/XhoI sites for expression in mammalian cells.

[0308] In order to determine the effect of PAN5 or the PAAD5 domain on NFκB activation, HEK293 cells were transiently transfected using SuperFect™ transfection reagent (1.5 μl/well) with pNFκB-Luc (50 ng) and PRL-TK (10 ng) luciferase reporter constructs, pcDNA3-PAAD5 or pcDNA4-PAN5 (390 ng) and 50 ng each of different components of the TNF, LPS or IL signaling pathways, as indicated in Table 3. After incubation for 3 hours, the transfection reagent was removed, fresh serum-containing media was added and cells were then incubated for 36 hours. After 36 hours, cells were lysed with Passive lysis buffer (1×; Promega) and then the effect of PAAD5 domain or PANS on NFκB activaty was measured with a luminometer. Co-transfection of pToF-Flash/β-catenin was used as a control for stickiness.

[0309] The results of the luciferase assays are shown in Table 3, below. TABLE 3 NFκB Activity (fold Construct induction) Control 1 TNFα 24 PAAD5 3 PAN5 4 TNFR1 23 TNFR1/PAAD5 21 TNFR1/PAN5 24 NIK 30 NIK/PAAD5 5 NIK/PAN5 3 IKKβ 45 IKKβ/PAAD5 6 IKKβ/PAN5 8 p65 55 p65/PAAD5 13 p65/PAN5 46 ToF-Flash + β-catenin 16 ToF-Flash + β-catenin/PAAD5 15 ToF-Flash + β-catenin/PAN5 17

[0310] As evidence by the data shown in Table 3, overexpression of either PAN5, or the PAAD domain of PAN5, inhibits NFκB activation by a variety of proteins in the TNF, LPS or IL signaling pathways. Therfore the PADD domain of PAN5, like the PAAD domain of other PAN proteins described herein, is responsible for the inhibition of NFκB activation.

[0311] In order to determine the expression of PANS in human tissues, a commercially available Northern membrane (Stratagene) was prehybridized with QuikHyb hybridization solution (Stratagene) containing single stranded sperm DNA for 1-2 hours at 68° C. ³²p- primer labeling of the DNA probe (the 1.5 kb fragment corresponding to the PAN5 ORF) was performed at 37° C. for 30 minutes, using the RTS radprime DNA labeling kit (Life Technologies), as described by the manufacturer. The ³²P-primer labeling reaction contained 25 ng of denatured DNA, dATP, dAGTP, dTTP, random octamer primers, 50 μCi [³²p] dCTP and Klenow fragment. The prehybridization solution was removed, and the denatured radiolabeled probe was added to the hybridization solution (same as prehybridization buffer) and the membrane was hybridized overnight at 68° C. The membrane was washed three times for 40′ with 2×SSC/0.05% SDS at room temperature, washed twice for 40′ at 50° C., and exposed to Kodak XAR-5 film with intensifying screens at −70° C. C for 1-3 days.

[0312] Two transcripts, of 1.8 kb and 1.35 kb, were found to be expressed at varying levels in most human tissues tested. Thymus, spleen, placental and lung had the highest expression of PADS transcripts. In thymus and spleen, the 1.35 kb transcript was more abundant than the 1.8 kb transcript, whereas in placenta the 1.8 kb transcript was more abundant than the 1.35 kb transcript. 10.0 Cloning and Characterization of PAN6

[0313] The PAAD domain of PAN6 (“PAAD6”) corresponding to bp34-271 of PAN6 cDNA (SEQ ID NO:23), encoding amino acids 12-90 of SEQ ID NO:24, was amplified by PCR from HeLa cDNA library using the primer set EA-PAAD6-U22: GACGGATCCTGTGGCATGGCCACCTACTTGG (SEQ ID NO:56) and EA-PAAD6-L291: ATCCCTCACGAATTCCCCTCACTGTCCTC (SEQ ID NO:57), essentially as described for PAAD5. The PAAD 6 domain was first cloned into pCR-II- Topo, sequence-verified and then digested with BamH1 and Xho1. The 270 bp band containing the PAAD 6 domain was gel pufified and ligated into pcDNA3-Myc for expression in mammalian cells, into pGEX-4T.3 for GST-fusion protein production and into pGilda for yeast two-hybrid studies, at the BamH1/Xho1 sites of the relevant vector.

[0314] In order to determine the effect of PAAD6 expression on NFκB activation, HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with pNFκB-Luc (50 ng) and pRL-TK (10 ng) luciferase reporter constructs, pcDNA3-PAAD6(390 ng) and 50 ng each of different components of the TNF, LPS or IL signaling pathways, as indicated in Table 4, as described above for PAAD5.

[0315] The results of the luciferase assays are shown in Table 4, below. TABLE 4 NFκB Activity (fold Construct induction) Control 1 TNFα 20 PAAD6 4 IRAK2 18 TRAK2/PAAD6 2 TRAF2 44 TRAF2/PAAD6 5 TRAF6 45 TRAF6/PAAD6 6 NIK 29 NIK/PAAD6 3 RIP 45 RIP/PAAD6 2 p65 50 p65/PAAD6 11 IKKβ 42 IKKβ/PAAD6 2 Bcl10 10 Bcl10/PAAD6 1 Nod1 17 Nod1/PAAD6 18 TNFR1 25 TNFR1/PAAD6 19 ToF-Flash + β-catenin 18 ToF-Flash + β-catenin/PAAD6 17

[0316] As evidenced by the data shown in Table 4, overexpression of the PAAD domain of PAN6 inhibits NFκB activation by a variety of proteins in the TNF, LPS or IL signaling pathways. Therefore, the PAAD domain of PAN6, like the PAAD domain of other PAN proteins described herein, is responsible for the inhibition of NFκB activation.

[0317] In order to identify proteins that associate with PAN6 in vivo, the pgilda plasmid was used to express as a “bait” protein the PAAD domain of PAN6 (nucleotides 22-291 of PAN6 cDNA, corresponding to amino acids 8-97 of SEQ ID NO:24). The plasmid expressing the LexA-PAAD6 bait protein was then used to transform the yeast strain EGY48 (MAT,trp1, ura3, his, his leu2::6LexAop-LEU2. The ability of the LexA-PAAD6 bait protein alone to activate LEU2 or LacZ reporter genes was also tested. The LexA-PAAD6 bait protein was used to screen a human fetal brain and Jurkat T cell pJG4-5 cDNA libraries. Briefly, cells were grown in either YPD medium with 1% yeast extract, 2% polypeptone and 2% glucose, or in Burkholder's minimal medium (BMM) supplemented with appropriate amino acids. Transformations were performed by a LiCl method using 0.1 mg of pJG4-5 cDNA library DNA and 5 mg denatured salmon sperm DNA. The potential positive transformants that grew on Leu deficient BMM plates containing 2% galactose were transferred to BMM plates containing leucine and 2% glucose. Filter assays were then performed to measure β-galactosidase activity as described in Sato et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 91:9238-9242 (1994). As a result of the screening, 7 β-galactosidase positive clones out of 11 clones from the Jurkat T cell cDNA library were obtained that transactivated the LEU2 reporter gene (based on the ability to grow on leu deficient media). The screening of a fetal brain cDNA library gave 430 positive clones for the transactivation of the LEU2 reporter gene. Of those, 42 colonies were also positive in the β-galactosidase assay.

[0318] Two of the clones identified as encoding PAAD6-interacting proteins by yeast two hybrid analysis encoded IKAP, which is an IKβ kinase complex associated protein. The region of IKAP that interacted with PAAD6 was within amino acids 1089-1232. IKAP is known in the art and described, for example, in Cohen et al., Nature 395:292-296 (1998).

[0319] In order to determine the expression of PAN6 in human tissues, a commercially available Northern membrane (Stratagene) was hybridized as described above in regard to PAN5 expression, using the EST I.M.A.G.E. clone 2900568, corresponding to nucleotides 892-2331 of PAN6 as the radiolabeled probe.

[0320] A PAN6 transcript of 3.3 kb was observed at highest levels in thymus, spleen and skeletal muscle, with lower levels in other tissues.

[0321] 11.0 Cloning and Characterization of ASC and ASC2

[0322] ASC and ASC2 were cloned as following. The ASC or ASC2 (SEQ ID NO:27) open reading frames, or the ASC CARD or PAAD domains, were amplified by high fidelity PCR using primers containing EcoRI and XhoI sites and sub cloned into pcDNA3 vectors containing Myc, Flag or HA epitope tags on the N-or C-terminal end. As template either the ASC cDNA described in Masumoto et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:33835-33838 (1999) or the 619 bp EST with GenBank Accession No. W73523 (gi:1383656) were used. Authenticity of all constructs was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The primers used were as follows: ASC: 5′-GAATTCGATCCTGGAGCCATGGGG-3′; (SEQ ID NO:41) 5′-CTCGAGCCGGAGTGTTGCTGGGAA-3′; (SEQ ID NO:42) ASC-PAAD: 5′-GAATTCGATCCTGGAGCCATGGGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:43) 5′-CTCGAGTCAGCTTGGCTGCCGACT-3′; (SEQ ID NO:44) or 5-CCCCCTCGAGGGCCTGGCTTGGCTGCCGACT-3′; (SEQ ID NO:45) ASC-CARD: 5′-GAATTCCCTCAGTCGGCAGCCAAG-3′; (SEQ ID NO:46) 5′-CTCGAGCCGGAGTGTTGCTGGGAA-3′; (SEQ ID NO:47) ASC2: 5′-GAATTCGAGGCGCAGGGCTGTG-3′; (SEQ ID NO:48) 5′-CTCGAGGCTTCACAGGCGTTGCAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:49) or 5′-CTCGAGGCTACACAGGCGTTGCAT-3′. (SEQ ID NO:50)

[0323] ASC contains a PAAD domain at the N-terminus followed by a CARD domain. ASC2 contains only a PAAD domain, which shares extensive sequence homology with the PAAD domain of ASC. The ASC gene is localized at chromosome 16pl2-11.2, whereas the ASC2 gene is localized at chromosome 16.pl3.

[0324] To determine associations between various domains of ASC and ASC2, GST pull-down assays and yeast two-hybrid assays were performed. For GST pull-down assays, ASC-PAAD and ASC2 were subcloned into pGEX4-T1 (Pharmacia) and affinity purified as GST-fusion proteins from E.coli XL-1 blue (Stratagene) using GSH-Sepharose. Purified GST-fusion proteins (0.1 μg) immobilized on 10-15 μl of GSH-Sepharose beads were incubated with 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin in 100 μl buffer A [142.4 mM KCl, 5 MM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4), 0.5 mM EGTA, 1 mM EDTA, and 0.2% Nonidet P-40, supplemented with 1 mM dithiothreitol, 12.5 mM μ-glycerol phosphate, 1 μM Na₃V0₄, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and 1×protease inhibitor mix (Roche)] for 30 min at 25° C. The beads were washed twice and incubated overnight at 4° C. with 1 μl of rabbit reticulocyte lysate (Quick-TNT-lysate, Promega) containing ³⁵S-labeled, in vitro-translated proteins in 100 μl of buffer A supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin. Bound proteins were washed four times in 500 μl of buffer A, followed by boiling in 20 μl of Laemmli-SDS sample buffer, SDS-PAGE and detected by fluorography.

[0325] By the GST pull-down assays, the PAAD domain of ASC did not associate with the CARD domain of ASC, but weakly associated with full-length ASC and with ASC2, suggesting that the PAAD domain of ASC self-associates and also associates with ASC2.

[0326] For the yeast two-hybrid assays, the yeast EGY-48 strain was transformed with various combinations of ASC, ASC-CARD, ASC-PAAD, and ASC2 in the plasmids pGilda and pJG 4-5, together with the β-galactosidase expression plasmid pSH-18-34 (Invitrogen). Colonies were plated on both LEU+and LEU− media and also used for a β-Gal-assay. The results of the yeast interaction assays are shown in Table 5, below. TABLE 5 pJG 4-5 pGilda Leu β-Gal ASC-CARD ASC-CARD + + ASC-CARD empty − − ASC-CARD ASC + + ASC-CARD ASC-PAAD − − ASC-CARD ASC2 − − ASC-PAAD empty − − ASC-PAAD ASC-PAAD + + ASC2 empty − − ASC2 ASC2 + − ASC2 ASC + + ASC empty − −

[0327] As shown in Table 5, the CARD domain of ASC self associates. In this in vivo assay, the PAAD domain of ASC was shown to self-associate, and also to associate with ASC2.

[0328] For co-immunoprecipitation experiments, HEK293T cells were seeded at 5×10⁵ cells per well in six-well plates (35mm wells) and transfected with 2 μg plasmid DNA using Superfect (Qiagen) 24 hours later. After culturing for 36 hours, cells were collected, washed in PBS and lysed in isotonic lysis buffer [150 or 500 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.4), 0.2% NP-40, 12.5 mM β-glycerophosphate, 2 mM NaF, 1 mM Na₃V0₄, 1 mM PMSF, and 1×protease inhibitor mix (Roche). Lysates were clarified by centrifugation and subjected to immunoprecipitation using agarose-conjugated anti-c-Myc antibodies (Santa Cruz), anti-HA antibodies (Santa Cruz, Roche) anti-FlagM2 antibodies (Sigma) or non-specific control antibodies and Protein G-agarose for 2-4 hours at 4° C. Immune-complexes were washed 3-5 times with lysis buffer and once with PBS, boiled in 1.5× Laemmli buffer, and separated by 12-15% PAGE next to 10% of the total lysate. Immune-complexes were then transferred to PVDF membranes (Millipore) and immunoblotted with anti-c-Myc (Santa Cruz), anti-HA (Roche), or anti-Flag (Sigma) antibodies in 5% dry milk in TBS-T. Membranes were washed, incubated with HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies, and reactive proteins were detected using ECL.

[0329] The results of the co-immunoprecipitation assays are shown in Table 6, below, with a “+” sign indicating co-immunoprecipititation. TABLE 6 Myc-ASC HA-ASC + Myc-Caspase-1 HA-ASC + Myc-Card10 HA-ASC + Flag-Nod1 HA-ASC + Flag-Cardiak HA-ASC + Myc-ASC2 HA-ASC-PAAD + Flag-Nod1 HA-ASC-PAAD + Flag-Cardiak HA-ASC-PAAD + Myc-NIK HA-ASC-PAAD + Flag-IKK-i HA-ASC-PAAD + Flag-IκBα HA-ASC-PAAD − HA-IKKα Myc-ASC-PAAD −

[0330] The results shown in Table 6 indicate that ASC associates with ASC, ASC2, Caspase-1, Card10, Nod1, Cardiak, NIK and IKK-i.

[0331] GST pull-down assays, as described above, were used to determine whether the CARD domain of ASC is able to associate with other proteins, including other CARD domain-containing proteins. The results of these assays are shown in Table 7, with a “+” indicating a detectable interaction between the GST-ASC-CARD domain and the indicated in vitro-translated (IVT) test protein. TABLE 7 GST-ASC-CARD/IVT Caspase-8 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT Caspase-9 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT Caspase-10 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT Bcl-10 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT RAIDD − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT ASC-2 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT ASC + GST-ASC-CARD/IVT Xiap − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT cIAP-1 − GST-ASC-CARD/IVT cIAP-2 −

[0332] As shown in Table 7, the CARD domain of ASC, while self-associating, does not associate with several other CARD domain-containing proteins.

[0333] In order to determine the localization of ASC and ASC2, Cos-7 cells were seeded onto 12-well plates and transfected with 1.5 μg total fusion plasmid DNA (either EGFP-ASC, EGFP-ASC2 or EGFP-ASC in combination with RFP-ASC2) (Clontech) using Lipofectamine plus (Life Technologies) 24 hours later. The next day cells were trypsinized and seeded onto 4- or 8-well chamber slides (LabTec) and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and mounted (Vectashield). Confocal laser scanning microscopy was then performed.

[0334] The microscopy results indicated that ASC, when expressed alone, was localized to characteristic “speckles.” ASC2, when expressed alone, exhibited a diffuse pattern of cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. However, when expressed together, ASC and ASC2 co-localized in ASC speckles. Therefore, ASC is apparently able to recruit ASC2 into ASC “speckles.” This co-localization is further evidence that ASC and ASC2 associate in vivo.

[0335] In order to determine the effect of ASC, ASC-CARD, ASC-PAAD and ASC2 on NFκB induction in response to TNFα, IL-1β, Bc110, Nod1 or Cardiak, reporter assays were performed using the Dual-Luciferase assay system (Promega). In brief, HEK293N cells were seeded onto 24-well plates and transfected with 1 μg total plasmid DNA including 6 ng of pRL-TK and 150 ng PRL-NF-KB or pRL-p53 (all Promega) using SuperFect™ transfection reagent (Qiagen) 24 hours later. After culturing for 48 hours, cells were lysed in 100 μl passive lysis buffer (Promega) and frozen at −80° C. Subsequently, 5-10 μl of lysate were transferred to 96-well plates and analyzed using a Luminometer (Wallach, Perkin Elmer). If indicated, cells were treated with 10 ng TNF-αor IL-1β 6-8 hours prior to lysis. All experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated at least twice.

[0336] As shown in FIG. 7A-7C, ASC, ASC2 and the PAAD domain of ASC are each able to inhibit NFκB induction by Bcl-10, TNFα and IL-1β. As shown in FIG. 7D, ASC and ASC2 also inhibited NFκB induction by Nodl and, to a lesser extent, by Cardiak. In other experiments, the inhibition of TNFα-induced NFκB activation was shown to be dependent on the amount of either ASC or ASC2 transfected, and also to be specific for NFκB, as no inhibition of adriamycin-induced p53 activation by ASC was observed.

[0337] Certain genes are induced by NFκB, including TRAF1 (Carpentier et al., FEBS Lett. 460:246-250 (1999). TNFα is a potent inducer of NFκB activation. In order to examine the effect of ASC-PAAD and ASC2 on TNFα-induced expression of the endogenous NFκB target gene TRAF1, HEK 293N cells were transiently transfected with expression plasmids for ASC-PAAD or ASC2, and either treated for 4 hours with TNFα or left untreated. Cleared lysates were immunoblotted with anti-TRAF1 or anti-TPAF2 antibodies. Equal loading was confirmed by re-blotting with an anti-Tubulin antibody. As shown in FIG. 8, treatment with TNF normally causes an increase in expression of TRAF1 but not TRAF2 protein (see lanes marked CNTR, compare−and+TNF). Expression of either ASC-PAAD or ASC2 decreased both basal and TNF-induced expression of TRAF1, without affecting expression of TRAF2. Because increased TRAF1 expression in response to TNF stimulation is mediated by NFκB activation, this result is consistent with the determination (see FIG. 7) that ASC-PAAD or ASC2 inhibit NFκB activation.

[0338] Active caspase-1 cleaves pro-IL-1β, resulting in the generation of bioactive IL-1β which is secreted from cells. In order to determine whether ASC or ASC2 affected caspase-l-induced pro-IL-1β processing, COS-7 cells and HEK293N cells were grown in 24 well plates (14 mm wells) and transfected with 1 μg plasmid DNA (Myc-tagged pro-caspase-1, pro-IL-l1β (Lee et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:34495-34500 (2001); Damiano et al., Genomics 75:77-83 (2001)), HA-tagged ASC and HA-tagged ASC2 in various combinations) using Lipofectamine plus (Gibco BRL, Grand Island, N.Y.) or Superfect (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) 24 hours later. After culturing for 36 hours at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with either 20% or 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mM L-glutamine, and antibiotics, supernatants were collected, volume adjusted and stored at −80° C. or used immediately for an IL-1β ELISA assay (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cells were washed in PBS, lysed in isotonic lysis buffer, and directly analyzed by immunoblotting using anti-Myc and anti-HA antibodies. Results from one representative experiment of at least three experiments are shown in FIG. 9.

[0339] As shown in FIG. 9, co-expression of procaspase-1 and pro-IL-l1β (“IL-1”) resulted in a high level of secretion of active IL-1β. This IL-1β secretion was inhibited by about 50% by co-expression of ASC, and almost completely inhibited by co-expression of both ASC and ASC2, but was not inhibited by expression of ASC2 alone. Therefore, ASC interferes with activation of a CARD-containing caspase, caspase-1. The association between Cardiak and ASC (see Table 6) may be involved in the inhibition of caspase-1 activation.

[0340] Caspases that cleave the tetrapeptide substrate DEVD-AFC are directly involved in apoptosis, and thus DEDVase activity serves as a surrogate marker of apoptosis. In order to determine the effect of ASC and ASC2 on caspase activation, HEK293N cells were transiently transfected with expression plasmids for ASC; or ASC in combination with ASC2 alone or further in combination with active site mutants of caspase-1, caspase-8, caspase-9 or caspase-10. Transfected HEK293N cells were directly lysed in caspase lysis buffer (10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4), 25 mM NaCl, 0.25% Triton X-100, and 1 mM EDTA), normalized for protein content, and protease activity was measured continuously by monitoring the release of fluorigenic Ac-DEVD-AFC (Bachem, Philadelphia, Pa.) at 37° C. As shown in FIG. 10, caspase activity was increased by expression of ASC (A and B), and further increased by expression of ASC and ASC2 in combination (A and B). Caspase activity was only slightly increased by expression of ASC2 alone (B). Expression of catalytic site mutants of caspase-1, caspase-8 or caspase-10 (c/a) only slightly decreased ASC+ASC2-mediated caspase activity (B), whereas expression of a catalytic site mutant of caspase-9 (c/a) strongly inhibited ASC+ASC2-mediated caspase activity (B). Therefore, ASC and ASC2 activate a caspase-9-dependent pathway for apoptosis.

[0341] Although the invention has been described with reference to the examples above, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.

0 SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 64 <210> SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 1 Leu Leu Glu Gln Leu Ser Gln Asp Glu Leu Ser Lys Phe Lys Tyr Leu 1 5 10 15 Ile Thr Thr Phe Ser Leu Ala His Glu Leu Gln Lys Ile Pro His Lys 20 25 30 Glu Val Asp Lys Ala Asp Gly Lys Gln Leu Val Glu Ile Leu Thr Thr 35 40 45 His Cys Asp Ser Tyr Trp Val Glu Met Ala Ser Leu Gln Val Phe Glu 50 55 60 Lys Met His Arg Met Asp Leu Ser Glu Arg Ala Lys 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 2 Tyr Leu Glu Glu Leu Lys Lys Glu Glu Phe Arg Lys Phe Lys Glu His 1 5 10 15 Leu Lys Gln Met Thr Leu Gln Leu Glu Leu Lys Gln Ile Pro Trp Thr 20 25 30 Glu Val Lys Lys Ala Ser Arg Glu Glu Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu Ile Lys 35 40 45 His Tyr Glu Glu Gln Gln Ala Trp Asn Ile Thr Leu Arg Ile Phe Gln 50 55 60 Lys Met Asp Arg Lys Asp Leu Cys Met Lys Val Met 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH: 73 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 3 Ala Leu Glu Glu Leu Ser Gln Glu Gln Leu Lys Arg Phe Arg His Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Arg Asp Val Gly Pro Asp Gly Arg Ser Ile Pro Trp Gly Arg Leu 20 25 30 Glu Arg Ala Asp Ala Val Asp Leu Ala Glu Gln Leu Ala Gln Phe Tyr 35 40 45 Gly Pro Glu Pro Ala Leu Glu Val Ala Arg Lys Thr Leu Lys Arg Ala 50 55 60 Asp Ala Arg Asp Val Ala Ala Gln Leu 65 70 <210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH: 75 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 4 Tyr Met Arg Asn Val Ser His Glu Glu Leu Gln Arg Phe Lys Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Thr Glu Leu Ser Thr Gly Thr Met Pro Ile Thr Trp Asp Gln 20 25 30 Val Glu Thr Ala Ser Trp Ala Glu Val Val His Leu Leu Ile Glu Arg 35 40 45 Phe Pro Gly Arg Arg Ala Trp Asp Val Thr Ser Asn Ile Phe Ala Ile 50 55 60 Met Asn Cys Asp Lys Met Cys Val Val Val Arg 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 5 Ala Leu Ser Asp Leu Glu Glu Asn Asp Phe Lys Lys Leu Lys Phe Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Arg Asp Met Thr Leu Ser Glu Gly Gln Pro Pro Leu Ala Arg Gly 20 25 30 Glu Leu Glu Gly Leu Ile Pro Val Asp Leu Ala Glu Leu Leu Ile Ser 35 40 45 Lys Tyr Gly Glu Lys Glu Ala Val Lys Val Val Leu Lys Gly Leu Lys 50 55 60 Val Met Asn Leu Leu Glu Leu Val Asp Gln Leu Ser 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 6 <211> LENGTH: 75 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 6 Tyr Leu Glu Glu Leu Glu Ala Val Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Leu Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Thr Ala Thr Glu Leu Gly Glu Gly Lys Ile Pro Trp Gly Ser 20 25 30 Met Glu Lys Ala Gly Pro Leu Glu Met Ala Gln Leu Leu Ile Thr His 35 40 45 Phe Gly Pro Glu Glu Ala Trp Arg Leu Ala Leu Ser Thr Phe Glu Arg 50 55 60 Ile Asn Arg Lys Asp Leu Trp Glu Arg Gly Gln 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 7 Thr Leu Glu Glu Leu Val Pro Tyr Asp Phe Glu Lys Phe Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Gln Asn Thr Ser Val Gln Lys Glu His Ser Arg Ile Pro Arg Ser 20 25 30 Gln Ile Gln Arg Ala Arg Pro Val Lys Met Ala Thr Leu Leu Val Thr 35 40 45 Tyr Tyr Gly Glu Glu Tyr Ala Val Gln Leu Thr Leu Gln Val Leu Arg 50 55 60 Ala Ile Asn Gln Arg Leu Leu Ala Glu Glu Leu His 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH: 71 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 8 Tyr Leu Glu Asp Leu Glu Asp Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met His 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Asp Tyr Pro Pro Gln Lys Gly Cys Ile Pro Leu Pro Arg Gly 20 25 30 Gln Thr Glu Lys Ala Asp His Val Asp Leu Ala Thr Leu Met Ile Asp 35 40 45 Phe Asn Gly Glu Glu Lys Ala Trp Ala Met Val Val Trp Ile Phe Ala 50 55 60 Ala Ile Asn Arg Arg Asp Leu 65 70 <210> SEQ ID NO 9 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 9 Ala Leu Glu Asn Leu Thr Ala Glu Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Leu Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Ser Val Pro Leu Arg Glu Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ile Pro Arg Gly 20 25 30 Ala Leu Leu Pro Met Asp Ala Leu Asp Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu Val Ser 35 40 45 Phe Tyr Leu Glu Thr Tyr Gly Ala Glu Leu Thr Ala Asn Val Leu Arg 50 55 60 Asp Met Gly Leu Gln Glu Met Ala Gly Gln Leu Gln 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 10 Val Leu Glu Asn Leu Thr Pro Glu Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Thr Val Pro Leu Arg Glu Gly Phe Glu Arg Ile Pro Arg Gly 20 25 30 Ala Leu Gly Gln Leu Asp Ile Val Asp Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu Val Ala 35 40 45 Ser Tyr Tyr Glu Asp Tyr Ala Ala Glu Leu Val Val Ala Val Leu Arg 50 55 60 Asp Met Arg Met Leu Glu Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu Gln 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 76 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 11 Tyr Leu Glu Phe Leu Lys Lys Glu Glu Leu Lys Glu Phe Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Asn Lys Ala His Ser Arg Ser Ser Ser Gly Glu Thr Pro Ala 20 25 30 Gln Pro Glu Lys Thr Ser Gly Met Glu Val Ala Ser Tyr Leu Val Ala 35 40 45 Gln Tyr Gly Glu Gln Arg Ala Trp Asp Leu Ala Leu His Thr Trp Glu 50 55 60 Gln Met Gly Leu Arg Ser Leu Cys Ala Gln Ala Gln 65 70 75 <210> SEQ ID NO 12 <211> LENGTH: 70 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 12 Gly Leu Asp Asn Ile Thr Asp Glu Glu Leu Asp Arg Phe Lys Phe Phe 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Asp Glu Phe Asn Ile Ala Thr Gly Lys Leu His Thr Ala Asn 20 25 30 Arg Ile Gln Val Ala Thr Leu Met Ile Gln Asn Ala Gly Ala Val Ser 35 40 45 Ala Val Met Lys Thr Ile Arg Ile Phe Gln Lys Leu Asn Tyr Met Leu 50 55 60 Leu Ala Lys Arg Leu Gln 65 70 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211> LENGTH: 71 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 13 Gly Leu Glu Val Ile Asn Asp Tyr His Phe Arg Met Val Lys Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Asn Asp Leu Lys Leu Asn Leu Lys Met Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp 20 25 30 Lys Ile Gln Ile Ala Asp Leu Met Glu Glu Lys Phe Arg Gly Asp Ala 35 40 45 Gly Leu Gly Lys Leu Ile Lys Ile Phe Glu Asp Ile Pro Thr Leu Glu 50 55 60 Asp Leu Ala Glu Thr Leu Lys 65 70 <210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 70 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Myxoma virus <400> SEQUENCE: 14 Val Leu Glu Asn Leu Ser Asp Tyr Gln Phe Lys Met Phe Ile Tyr Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Met Glu Asp Leu Tyr Ile Glu Arg Ala Glu Lys Glu Lys Ile Asp 20 25 30 Arg Ile Asp Leu Ala His Lys Ile Ser Glu Gln Tyr Leu Gly Thr Asp 35 40 45 Tyr Ile Glu Phe Met Lys Arg Val Thr Asp Phe Ile Pro Asn Lys Val 50 55 60 Tyr Val Asp Ser Leu Leu 65 70 <210> SEQ ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 2985 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(2985) <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (1)...(1857) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A,T,C or G <400> SEQUENCE: 15 atg gca gcc tct ttc ttc tct gat ttt ggt ctt atg tgg tat ctg gag 48 Met Ala Ala Ser Phe Phe Ser Asp Phe Gly Leu Met Trp Tyr Leu Glu 1 5 10 15 gag ctc aaa aag gag gag ttc agg aaa ttt aaa gaa cat ctc aag caa 96 Glu Leu Lys Lys Glu Glu Phe Arg Lys Phe Lys Glu His Leu Lys Gln 20 25 30 atg act ttg cag ctt gaa ctc aag cag att ccc tgg act gag gtc aaa 144 Met Thr Leu Gln Leu Glu Leu Lys Gln Ile Pro Trp Thr Glu Val Lys 35 40 45 aaa gca tcc cgg gaa gaa ctt gca aac ctc ttg atc aag cac tat gaa 192 Lys Ala Ser Arg Glu Glu Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu Ile Lys His Tyr Glu 50 55 60 gaa caa caa gct tgg aac ata acc tta aga atc ttt caa aag atg gat 240 Glu Gln Gln Ala Trp Asn Ile Thr Leu Arg Ile Phe Gln Lys Met Asp 65 70 75 80 aga aag gat ctc tgc atg aag gtc atg agg gag aga aca gga tac aca 288 Arg Lys Asp Leu Cys Met Lys Val Met Arg Glu Arg Thr Gly Tyr Thr 85 90 95 aag acc tat caa gct cac gca aag cag aaa ttc agc cgc tta tgg tcc 336 Lys Thr Tyr Gln Ala His Ala Lys Gln Lys Phe Ser Arg Leu Trp Ser 100 105 110 agc aag tct gtc act gag att cac cta tac ttt gag gag gaa gtc aag 384 Ser Lys Ser Val Thr Glu Ile His Leu Tyr Phe Glu Glu Glu Val Lys 115 120 125 caa gaa gaa tgt gac cat ttg gac cgc ctt ttt gct ccc aag gaa act 432 Gln Glu Glu Cys Asp His Leu Asp Arg Leu Phe Ala Pro Lys Glu Thr 130 135 140 ggg aaa cag cca cgt aca gtg att att caa gga cca caa gga att gga 480 Gly Lys Gln Pro Arg Thr Val Ile Ile Gln Gly Pro Gln Gly Ile Gly 145 150 155 160 aaa acg aca ctc ctg atg aag ctg atg atg gcc tgg tcg gac aac aag 528 Lys Thr Thr Leu Leu Met Lys Leu Met Met Ala Trp Ser Asp Asn Lys 165 170 175 atc ttt cgg gat agg ttc ctg tac acg ttc tat ttc tgc tgc aga gaa 576 Ile Phe Arg Asp Arg Phe Leu Tyr Thr Phe Tyr Phe Cys Cys Arg Glu 180 185 190 ctg agg gag ttg ccg cca acg agt ttg gct gac ttg att tcc aga gag 624 Leu Arg Glu Leu Pro Pro Thr Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Ser Arg Glu 195 200 205 tgg cct gac ccc gct gct cct ata aca gag atc gtg tct caa ccg gag 672 Trp Pro Asp Pro Ala Ala Pro Ile Thr Glu Ile Val Ser Gln Pro Glu 210 215 220 aga ctc ttg ttc gtc atc gac agc ttc gaa gag ctg cag ggc ggc ttg 720 Arg Leu Leu Phe Val Ile Asp Ser Phe Glu Glu Leu Gln Gly Gly Leu 225 230 235 240 aac gaa ccc gat tcg gat ctg tgt ggt gac ttg atg gag aaa cgg ccg 768 Asn Glu Pro Asp Ser Asp Leu Cys Gly Asp Leu Met Glu Lys Arg Pro 245 250 255 gtg cag gtg ctt ctg agc agt ttg ctg agg aag aag atg ctc ccg gag 816 Val Gln Val Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Leu Arg Lys Lys Met Leu Pro Glu 260 265 270 gcc tcc ctg ctc atc gcc atc aaa ccc gtg tgc ccg aag gag ctc cgg 864 Ala Ser Leu Leu Ile Ala Ile Lys Pro Val Cys Pro Lys Glu Leu Arg 275 280 285 gat cag gtg acg atc tca gaa atc tac cag ccc cgg gga ttc aac gag 912 Asp Gln Val Thr Ile Ser Glu Ile Tyr Gln Pro Arg Gly Phe Asn Glu 290 295 300 agt gat agg tta gtg tat ttc tgc tgt ttc ttc aaa gac ccg aaa aga 960 Ser Asp Arg Leu Val Tyr Phe Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Asp Pro Lys Arg 305 310 315 320 gcc atg gaa gcc ttc aat ctt gta aga gaa agt gaa cag ctg ttt tcc 1008 Ala Met Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Glu Gln Leu Phe Ser 325 330 335 ata tgc caa atc ccg ctc ctc tgc tgg atc ctg tgt acc agt ctg aag 1056 Ile Cys Gln Ile Pro Leu Leu Cys Trp Ile Leu Cys Thr Ser Leu Lys 340 345 350 caa gag atg cag aaa gga aaa gac ctg gcc ctg acc tgc cag agc act 1104 Gln Glu Met Gln Lys Gly Lys Asp Leu Ala Leu Thr Cys Gln Ser Thr 355 360 365 acc tct gtg tac tcc tct ttc gtc ttt aac ctg ttc aca cct gag ggt 1152 Thr Ser Val Tyr Ser Ser Phe Val Phe Asn Leu Phe Thr Pro Glu Gly 370 375 380 gcc gag ggc ccg act ccg caa acc cag cac cag ctg aag gcc ctg tgc 1200 Ala Glu Gly Pro Thr Pro Gln Thr Gln His Gln Leu Lys Ala Leu Cys 385 390 395 400 tcc ctg gct gca gag ggt atg tgg aca gac aca ttt gag ttt tgt gaa 1248 Ser Leu Ala Ala Glu Gly Met Trp Thr Asp Thr Phe Glu Phe Cys Glu 405 410 415 gac gac ctc cgg aga aat ggg gtt gtt gac gct gac atc cct gcg ctg 1296 Asp Asp Leu Arg Arg Asn Gly Val Val Asp Ala Asp Ile Pro Ala Leu 420 425 430 ctg ggc acc aag ata ctt ctg aag tac ggg gag cgt gag agc tcc tac 1344 Leu Gly Thr Lys Ile Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Glu Arg Glu Ser Ser Tyr 435 440 445 gtg ttc ctc cac gtg tgt atc cag gag ttc tgt gcc gcc ttg ttc tat 1392 Val Phe Leu His Val Cys Ile Gln Glu Phe Cys Ala Ala Leu Phe Tyr 450 455 460 ttg ctc aag agc cat ctt gat cat cct cac cca gct gtg aga tgt gta 1440 Leu Leu Lys Ser His Leu Asp His Pro His Pro Ala Val Arg Cys Val 465 470 475 480 cag gaa ttg cta gtt gcc aat ttt gaa aaa gca agg aga gca cat tgg 1488 Gln Glu Leu Leu Val Ala Asn Phe Glu Lys Ala Arg Arg Ala His Trp 485 490 495 att ttt ttg ggg tgt ttt cta act ggc ctt tta aat aaa aag gaa caa 1536 Ile Phe Leu Gly Cys Phe Leu Thr Gly Leu Leu Asn Lys Lys Glu Gln 500 505 510 gaa aaa ctg gat gcg ttt ttt ggc ttc caa ctg tcc caa gag ata aag 1584 Glu Lys Leu Asp Ala Phe Phe Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Gln Glu Ile Lys 515 520 525 cag caa att cac cag tgc ctg aag agc tta ggg gag cgt ggc aat cct 1632 Gln Gln Ile His Gln Cys Leu Lys Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Gly Asn Pro 530 535 540 cag gga cag gtg gat tcc ttg gcg ata ttt tac tgt ctc ttt gaa atg 1680 Gln Gly Gln Val Asp Ser Leu Ala Ile Phe Tyr Cys Leu Phe Glu Met 545 550 555 560 cag gat cct gcc ttt gtg aag cag gca gtg aac ctc ctc caa gaa gct 1728 Gln Asp Pro Ala Phe Val Lys Gln Ala Val Asn Leu Leu Gln Glu Ala 565 570 575 aac ttt cat att att gac aac gtg gac ttg gtg gtt tct gcc tac tgc 1776 Asn Phe His Ile Ile Asp Asn Val Asp Leu Val Val Ser Ala Tyr Cys 580 585 590 tta aaa tac tgc tcc agc ttg agg aaa ctc tgt ttt tcc gtt caa aat 1824 Leu Lys Tyr Cys Ser Ser Leu Arg Lys Leu Cys Phe Ser Val Gln Asn 595 600 605 gtc ttt aag aaa gag gat gaa cac agc tct acg tcg gat tac agc ctc 1872 Val Phe Lys Lys Glu Asp Glu His Ser Ser Thr Ser Asp Tyr Ser Leu 610 615 620 atc tgt tgg cat cac atc tgc tct gtg ctc acc acc agc ggg cac ctc 1920 Ile Cys Trp His His Ile Cys Ser Val Leu Thr Thr Ser Gly His Leu 625 630 635 640 aga gag ctc cag gtg cag gac agc acc ctc agc gag tcg acc ttt gtg 1968 Arg Glu Leu Gln Val Gln Asp Ser Thr Leu Ser Glu Ser Thr Phe Val 645 650 655 acc tgg tgt aac cag ctg agg cat ccc agc tgt cgc ctt cag aag ctt 2016 Thr Trp Cys Asn Gln Leu Arg His Pro Ser Cys Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu 660 665 670 gga ata aat aac gtt tcc ttt tct ggc cag agt gtt ctg ctc ttt gag 2064 Gly Ile Asn Asn Val Ser Phe Ser Gly Gln Ser Val Leu Leu Phe Glu 675 680 685 gtg ctc ttt tat cag cca gac ttg aaa tac ctg agc ttc acc ctc acg 2112 Val Leu Phe Tyr Gln Pro Asp Leu Lys Tyr Leu Ser Phe Thr Leu Thr 690 695 700 aaa ctc tct cgt gat gac atc agg tcc ctc tgt gat gcc ttg aac tac 2160 Lys Leu Ser Arg Asp Asp Ile Arg Ser Leu Cys Asp Ala Leu Asn Tyr 705 710 715 720 cca gca ggc aac gtc aaa gag cta gcg ctg gta aat tgt cac ctc tca 2208 Pro Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Glu Leu Ala Leu Val Asn Cys His Leu Ser 725 730 735 ccc att gat tgt gaa gtc ctt gct ggc ctt cta acc aac aac aag aag 2256 Pro Ile Asp Cys Glu Val Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu Thr Asn Asn Lys Lys 740 745 750 ctg acg tat ctg aat gta tcc tgc aac cag tta gac aca ggc gtg ccc 2304 Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Val Ser Cys Asn Gln Leu Asp Thr Gly Val Pro 755 760 765 ctt ttg tgt gaa gcc ctg tgc agc cca gac acg gtc ctg gta tac ctg 2352 Leu Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Cys Ser Pro Asp Thr Val Leu Val Tyr Leu 770 775 780 atg ttg gct ttc tgc cac ctc agc gag cag tgc tgc gaa tac atc tct 2400 Met Leu Ala Phe Cys His Leu Ser Glu Gln Cys Cys Glu Tyr Ile Ser 785 790 795 800 gaa atg ctt ctg cgt aac aag agc gtg cgc tat cta gac ctc agt gcc 2448 Glu Met Leu Leu Arg Asn Lys Ser Val Arg Tyr Leu Asp Leu Ser Ala 805 810 815 aat gtc ctg aag gac gaa gga ctg aaa act ctc tgc gag gcc ttg aaa 2496 Asn Val Leu Lys Asp Glu Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Lys 820 825 830 cat ccg gac tgc tgc ctg gat tca ctg tgt ttg gta aaa tgt ttt atc 2544 His Pro Asp Cys Cys Leu Asp Ser Leu Cys Leu Val Lys Cys Phe Ile 835 840 845 act gct gct ggc tgt gaa gac ctc gcc tct gct ctc atc agc aat caa 2592 Thr Ala Ala Gly Cys Glu Asp Leu Ala Ser Ala Leu Ile Ser Asn Gln 850 855 860 aac ctg aag att ctg caa att ggg tgc aat gaa atc gga gat gtg ggt 2640 Asn Leu Lys Ile Leu Gln Ile Gly Cys Asn Glu Ile Gly Asp Val Gly 865 870 875 880 gtg cag ctg ttg tgt cgg gct ctg acg cat acg gat tgc cgc tta gag 2688 Val Gln Leu Leu Cys Arg Ala Leu Thr His Thr Asp Cys Arg Leu Glu 885 890 895 att ctt ggg ttg gaa gaa tgt ggg tta acg agc acc tgc tgt aag gat 2736 Ile Leu Gly Leu Glu Glu Cys Gly Leu Thr Ser Thr Cys Cys Lys Asp 900 905 910 ctc gcg tct gtt ctc acc tgc agt aag acc ctg cag cag ctc aac ctg 2784 Leu Ala Ser Val Leu Thr Cys Ser Lys Thr Leu Gln Gln Leu Asn Leu 915 920 925 acc ttg aac acc ttg gac cac aca ggg gtg gtt gta ctc tgt gag gcc 2832 Thr Leu Asn Thr Leu Asp His Thr Gly Val Val Val Leu Cys Glu Ala 930 935 940 ctg aga cac cca gag tgt gcc ctg cag gtg ctc ggg ctg aga aaa act 2880 Leu Arg His Pro Glu Cys Ala Leu Gln Val Leu Gly Leu Arg Lys Thr 945 950 955 960 gat ttt gat gag gaa acc cag gca ctt ctg acg gct gag gaa gag aga 2928 Asp Phe Asp Glu Glu Thr Gln Ala Leu Leu Thr Ala Glu Glu Glu Arg 965 970 975 aat cct aac ctg acc atc aca gac gac tgt gac aca atc aca agg gta 2976 Asn Pro Asn Leu Thr Ile Thr Asp Asp Cys Asp Thr Ile Thr Arg Val 980 985 990 gag atc tga 2985 Glu Ile * <210> SEQ ID NO 16 <211> LENGTH: 994 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 16 Met Ala Ala Ser Phe Phe Ser Asp Phe Gly Leu Met Trp Tyr Leu Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu Lys Lys Glu Glu Phe Arg Lys Phe Lys Glu His Leu Lys Gln 20 25 30 Met Thr Leu Gln Leu Glu Leu Lys Gln Ile Pro Trp Thr Glu Val Lys 35 40 45 Lys Ala Ser Arg Glu Glu Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu Ile Lys His Tyr Glu 50 55 60 Glu Gln Gln Ala Trp Asn Ile Thr Leu Arg Ile Phe Gln Lys Met Asp 65 70 75 80 Arg Lys Asp Leu Cys Met Lys Val Met Arg Glu Arg Thr Gly Tyr Thr 85 90 95 Lys Thr Tyr Gln Ala His Ala Lys Gln Lys Phe Ser Arg Leu Trp Ser 100 105 110 Ser Lys Ser Val Thr Glu Ile His Leu Tyr Phe Glu Glu Glu Val Lys 115 120 125 Gln Glu Glu Cys Asp His Leu Asp Arg Leu Phe Ala Pro Lys Glu Thr 130 135 140 Gly Lys Gln Pro Arg Thr Val Ile Ile Gln Gly Pro Gln Gly Ile Gly 145 150 155 160 Lys Thr Thr Leu Leu Met Lys Leu Met Met Ala Trp Ser Asp Asn Lys 165 170 175 Ile Phe Arg Asp Arg Phe Leu Tyr Thr Phe Tyr Phe Cys Cys Arg Glu 180 185 190 Leu Arg Glu Leu Pro Pro Thr Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Ser Arg Glu 195 200 205 Trp Pro Asp Pro Ala Ala Pro Ile Thr Glu Ile Val Ser Gln Pro Glu 210 215 220 Arg Leu Leu Phe Val Ile Asp Ser Phe Glu Glu Leu Gln Gly Gly Leu 225 230 235 240 Asn Glu Pro Asp Ser Asp Leu Cys Gly Asp Leu Met Glu Lys Arg Pro 245 250 255 Val Gln Val Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Leu Arg Lys Lys Met Leu Pro Glu 260 265 270 Ala Ser Leu Leu Ile Ala Ile Lys Pro Val Cys Pro Lys Glu Leu Arg 275 280 285 Asp Gln Val Thr Ile Ser Glu Ile Tyr Gln Pro Arg Gly Phe Asn Glu 290 295 300 Ser Asp Arg Leu Val Tyr Phe Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Asp Pro Lys Arg 305 310 315 320 Ala Met Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Glu Gln Leu Phe Ser 325 330 335 Ile Cys Gln Ile Pro Leu Leu Cys Trp Ile Leu Cys Thr Ser Leu Lys 340 345 350 Gln Glu Met Gln Lys Gly Lys Asp Leu Ala Leu Thr Cys Gln Ser Thr 355 360 365 Thr Ser Val Tyr Ser Ser Phe Val Phe Asn Leu Phe Thr Pro Glu Gly 370 375 380 Ala Glu Gly Pro Thr Pro Gln Thr Gln His Gln Leu Lys Ala Leu Cys 385 390 395 400 Ser Leu Ala Ala Glu Gly Met Trp Thr Asp Thr Phe Glu Phe Cys Glu 405 410 415 Asp Asp Leu Arg Arg Asn Gly Val Val Asp Ala Asp Ile Pro Ala Leu 420 425 430 Leu Gly Thr Lys Ile Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Glu Arg Glu Ser Ser Tyr 435 440 445 Val Phe Leu His Val Cys Ile Gln Glu Phe Cys Ala Ala Leu Phe Tyr 450 455 460 Leu Leu Lys Ser His Leu Asp His Pro His Pro Ala Val Arg Cys Val 465 470 475 480 Gln Glu Leu Leu Val Ala Asn Phe Glu Lys Ala Arg Arg Ala His Trp 485 490 495 Ile Phe Leu Gly Cys Phe Leu Thr Gly Leu Leu Asn Lys Lys Glu Gln 500 505 510 Glu Lys Leu Asp Ala Phe Phe Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Gln Glu Ile Lys 515 520 525 Gln Gln Ile His Gln Cys Leu Lys Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Gly Asn Pro 530 535 540 Gln Gly Gln Val Asp Ser Leu Ala Ile Phe Tyr Cys Leu Phe Glu Met 545 550 555 560 Gln Asp Pro Ala Phe Val Lys Gln Ala Val Asn Leu Leu Gln Glu Ala 565 570 575 Asn Phe His Ile Ile Asp Asn Val Asp Leu Val Val Ser Ala Tyr Cys 580 585 590 Leu Lys Tyr Cys Ser Ser Leu Arg Lys Leu Cys Phe Ser Val Gln Asn 595 600 605 Val Phe Lys Lys Glu Asp Glu His Ser Ser Thr Ser Asp Tyr Ser Leu 610 615 620 Ile Cys Trp His His Ile Cys Ser Val Leu Thr Thr Ser Gly His Leu 625 630 635 640 Arg Glu Leu Gln Val Gln Asp Ser Thr Leu Ser Glu Ser Thr Phe Val 645 650 655 Thr Trp Cys Asn Gln Leu Arg His Pro Ser Cys Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu 660 665 670 Gly Ile Asn Asn Val Ser Phe Ser Gly Gln Ser Val Leu Leu Phe Glu 675 680 685 Val Leu Phe Tyr Gln Pro Asp Leu Lys Tyr Leu Ser Phe Thr Leu Thr 690 695 700 Lys Leu Ser Arg Asp Asp Ile Arg Ser Leu Cys Asp Ala Leu Asn Tyr 705 710 715 720 Pro Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Glu Leu Ala Leu Val Asn Cys His Leu Ser 725 730 735 Pro Ile Asp Cys Glu Val Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu Thr Asn Asn Lys Lys 740 745 750 Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Val Ser Cys Asn Gln Leu Asp Thr Gly Val Pro 755 760 765 Leu Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Cys Ser Pro Asp Thr Val Leu Val Tyr Leu 770 775 780 Met Leu Ala Phe Cys His Leu Ser Glu Gln Cys Cys Glu Tyr Ile Ser 785 790 795 800 Glu Met Leu Leu Arg Asn Lys Ser Val Arg Tyr Leu Asp Leu Ser Ala 805 810 815 Asn Val Leu Lys Asp Glu Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Lys 820 825 830 His Pro Asp Cys Cys Leu Asp Ser Leu Cys Leu Val Lys Cys Phe Ile 835 840 845 Thr Ala Ala Gly Cys Glu Asp Leu Ala Ser Ala Leu Ile Ser Asn Gln 850 855 860 Asn Leu Lys Ile Leu Gln Ile Gly Cys Asn Glu Ile Gly Asp Val Gly 865 870 875 880 Val Gln Leu Leu Cys Arg Ala Leu Thr His Thr Asp Cys Arg Leu Glu 885 890 895 Ile Leu Gly Leu Glu Glu Cys Gly Leu Thr Ser Thr Cys Cys Lys Asp 900 905 910 Leu Ala Ser Val Leu Thr Cys Ser Lys Thr Leu Gln Gln Leu Asn Leu 915 920 925 Thr Leu Asn Thr Leu Asp His Thr Gly Val Val Val Leu Cys Glu Ala 930 935 940 Leu Arg His Pro Glu Cys Ala Leu Gln Val Leu Gly Leu Arg Lys Thr 945 950 955 960 Asp Phe Asp Glu Glu Thr Gln Ala Leu Leu Thr Ala Glu Glu Glu Arg 965 970 975 Asn Pro Asn Leu Thr Ile Thr Asp Asp Cys Asp Thr Ile Thr Arg Val 980 985 990 Glu Ile <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211> LENGTH: 2844 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(2841) <400> SEQUENCE: 17 atg gac cag cca gag gcc ccc tgc tcc agc acg ggg ccg cgc ctc gcg 48 Met Asp Gln Pro Glu Ala Pro Cys Ser Ser Thr Gly Pro Arg Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 gtg gcc cgc gag ctg ctc ctg gct gcg ctg gag gaa ctg agc caa gag 96 Val Ala Arg Glu Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Glu Glu Leu Ser Gln Glu 20 25 30 cag ctg aag cgc ttc cgc cac aag ctg cgc gac gtg ggc ccg gac gga 144 Gln Leu Lys Arg Phe Arg His Lys Leu Arg Asp Val Gly Pro Asp Gly 35 40 45 cgc agc atc ccg tgg ggg cgg ctg gag cgc gcg gac gcc gtg gac ctc 192 Arg Ser Ile Pro Trp Gly Arg Leu Glu Arg Ala Asp Ala Val Asp Leu 50 55 60 gcg gag cag ctg gcc cag ttc tac ggc ccg gag cct gcc ctg gag gtg 240 Ala Glu Gln Leu Ala Gln Phe Tyr Gly Pro Glu Pro Ala Leu Glu Val 65 70 75 80 gcc cgc aag acc ctc aag agg gcg gac gcg cgc gac gtg gcg gcg cag 288 Ala Arg Lys Thr Leu Lys Arg Ala Asp Ala Arg Asp Val Ala Ala Gln 85 90 95 ctc cag gag cgg cgg ctg cag cgg ctc ggg ctc ggc tcc ggg acg ctg 336 Leu Gln Glu Arg Arg Leu Gln Arg Leu Gly Leu Gly Ser Gly Thr Leu 100 105 110 ctc tcc gtg tcc gag tac aag aag aag tac cgg gag cac gtg ctg cag 384 Leu Ser Val Ser Glu Tyr Lys Lys Lys Tyr Arg Glu His Val Leu Gln 115 120 125 ctg cac gct cgg gtg aag gag agg aac gcc cgc tcc gtg aag atc acc 432 Leu His Ala Arg Val Lys Glu Arg Asn Ala Arg Ser Val Lys Ile Thr 130 135 140 aag cgc ttc acc aag ctg ctc atc gcg ccc gag agc gcc gcc ccg gag 480 Lys Arg Phe Thr Lys Leu Leu Ile Ala Pro Glu Ser Ala Ala Pro Glu 145 150 155 160 gag gcg ctg ggg ccc gcg gaa gag cct gag ccg ggg cgc gcg cgg cgc 528 Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Ala Glu Glu Pro Glu Pro Gly Arg Ala Arg Arg 165 170 175 tcg gac acg cac act ttc aac cgc ctc ttc cgc cgc gac gag gag ggc 576 Ser Asp Thr His Thr Phe Asn Arg Leu Phe Arg Arg Asp Glu Glu Gly 180 185 190 cgg cgg ccg ctg acc gtg gtg ctg cag ggc ccg gcg ggc atc ggc aag 624 Arg Arg Pro Leu Thr Val Val Leu Gln Gly Pro Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys 195 200 205 acc atg gcg gcc aaa aag atc ctg tac gac tgg gcg gcg ggc aag ctg 672 Thr Met Ala Ala Lys Lys Ile Leu Tyr Asp Trp Ala Ala Gly Lys Leu 210 215 220 tac cag ggc cag gtg gac ttc gcc ttc ttc atg ccc tgc ggc gag ctg 720 Tyr Gln Gly Gln Val Asp Phe Ala Phe Phe Met Pro Cys Gly Glu Leu 225 230 235 240 ctg gag agg ccg ggc acg cgc agc ctg gct gac ctg atc ctg gac cag 768 Leu Glu Arg Pro Gly Thr Arg Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Leu Asp Gln 245 250 255 tgc ccc gac cgc ggc gcg ccg gtg ccg cag atg ctg gcc cag ccg cag 816 Cys Pro Asp Arg Gly Ala Pro Val Pro Gln Met Leu Ala Gln Pro Gln 260 265 270 cgg ctg ctc ttc atc ctg gac ggc gcg gac gag ctg ccg gcg ctg ggg 864 Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Gly Ala Asp Glu Leu Pro Ala Leu Gly 275 280 285 ggc ccc gag gcc gcg ccc tgc aca gac ccc ttc gag gcg gcg agc ggc 912 Gly Pro Glu Ala Ala Pro Cys Thr Asp Pro Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Gly 290 295 300 gcg cgg gtg cta ggc ggg ctg ctg agc aag gcg ctg ctg ccc acg gcc 960 Ala Arg Val Leu Gly Gly Leu Leu Ser Lys Ala Leu Leu Pro Thr Ala 305 310 315 320 ctc ctg ctg gtg acc acg cgc gcc gcc gcc ccc ggg agg ctg cag ggc 1008 Leu Leu Leu Val Thr Thr Arg Ala Ala Ala Pro Gly Arg Leu Gln Gly 325 330 335 cgc ctg tgt tcc ccg cag tgc gcc gag gtg cgc ggc ttc tcc gac aag 1056 Arg Leu Cys Ser Pro Gln Cys Ala Glu Val Arg Gly Phe Ser Asp Lys 340 345 350 gac aag aag aag tat ttc tac aag ttc ttc cgg gat gag agg agg gcc 1104 Asp Lys Lys Lys Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Phe Phe Arg Asp Glu Arg Arg Ala 355 360 365 gag cgc gcc tac cgc ttc gtg aag gag aac gag acg ctg ttc gcg ctg 1152 Glu Arg Ala Tyr Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Asn Glu Thr Leu Phe Ala Leu 370 375 380 tgc ttc gtg ccc ttc gtg tgc tgg atc gtg tgc acc gtg ctg cgc cag 1200 Cys Phe Val Pro Phe Val Cys Trp Ile Val Cys Thr Val Leu Arg Gln 385 390 395 400 cag ctg gag ctc ggt cgg gac ctg tcg cgc acg tcc aag acc acc acg 1248 Gln Leu Glu Leu Gly Arg Asp Leu Ser Arg Thr Ser Lys Thr Thr Thr 405 410 415 tca gtg tac ctg ctt ttc atc acc agc gtt ctg agc tcg gct ccg gta 1296 Ser Val Tyr Leu Leu Phe Ile Thr Ser Val Leu Ser Ser Ala Pro Val 420 425 430 gcc gac ggg ccc cgg ttg cag ggc gac ctg cgc aat ctg tgc cgc ctg 1344 Ala Asp Gly Pro Arg Leu Gln Gly Asp Leu Arg Asn Leu Cys Arg Leu 435 440 445 gcc cgc gag ggc gtc ctc gga cgc agg gcg cag ttt gcc gag aag gaa 1392 Ala Arg Glu Gly Val Leu Gly Arg Arg Ala Gln Phe Ala Glu Lys Glu 450 455 460 ctg gag caa ctg gag ctt cgt ggc tcc aaa gtg cag acg ctg ttt ctc 1440 Leu Glu Gln Leu Glu Leu Arg Gly Ser Lys Val Gln Thr Leu Phe Leu 465 470 475 480 agc aaa aag gag ctg ccg ggc gtg ctg gag aca gag gtc acc tac cag 1488 Ser Lys Lys Glu Leu Pro Gly Val Leu Glu Thr Glu Val Thr Tyr Gln 485 490 495 ttc atc gac cag agc ttc cag gag ttc ctc gcg gca ctg tcc tac ctg 1536 Phe Ile Asp Gln Ser Phe Gln Glu Phe Leu Ala Ala Leu Ser Tyr Leu 500 505 510 ctg gag gac ggc ggg gtg ccc agg acc gcg gct ggc ggc gtt ggg aca 1584 Leu Glu Asp Gly Gly Val Pro Arg Thr Ala Ala Gly Gly Val Gly Thr 515 520 525 ctc ctg cgt ggg gac gcc cag ccg cac agc cac ttg gtg ctc acc acg 1632 Leu Leu Arg Gly Asp Ala Gln Pro His Ser His Leu Val Leu Thr Thr 530 535 540 cgc ttc ctc ttc gga ctg ctg agc gcg gag cgg atg cgc gac atc gag 1680 Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Leu Ser Ala Glu Arg Met Arg Asp Ile Glu 545 550 555 560 cgc cac ttc ggc tgc atg gtt tca gag cgt gtg aag cag gag gcc ctg 1728 Arg His Phe Gly Cys Met Val Ser Glu Arg Val Lys Gln Glu Ala Leu 565 570 575 cgg tgg gtg cag gga cag gga cag ggc tgc ccc gga gtg gca cca gag 1776 Arg Trp Val Gln Gly Gln Gly Gln Gly Cys Pro Gly Val Ala Pro Glu 580 585 590 gtg acc gag ggg gcc aaa ggg ctc gag gac acc gaa gag cca gag gag 1824 Val Thr Glu Gly Ala Lys Gly Leu Glu Asp Thr Glu Glu Pro Glu Glu 595 600 605 gag gag gag gga gag gag ccc aac tac cca ctg gag ttg ctg tac tgc 1872 Glu Glu Glu Gly Glu Glu Pro Asn Tyr Pro Leu Glu Leu Leu Tyr Cys 610 615 620 ctg tac gag acg cag gag gac gcg ttt gtg cgc caa gcc ctg tgc cgg 1920 Leu Tyr Glu Thr Gln Glu Asp Ala Phe Val Arg Gln Ala Leu Cys Arg 625 630 635 640 ttc ccg gag ctg gcg ctg cag cga gtg cgc ttc tgc cgc atg gac gtg 1968 Phe Pro Glu Leu Ala Leu Gln Arg Val Arg Phe Cys Arg Met Asp Val 645 650 655 gct gtt ctg agc tac tgc gtg agg tgc tgc cct gct gga cag gca ctg 2016 Ala Val Leu Ser Tyr Cys Val Arg Cys Cys Pro Ala Gly Gln Ala Leu 660 665 670 cgg ctg atc agc tgc aga ttg gtt gct gcg cag gag aag aag aag aag 2064 Arg Leu Ile Ser Cys Arg Leu Val Ala Ala Gln Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys 675 680 685 agc ctg ggg aag cgg ctc cag gcc agc ctg ggt ggc ggc agc tgg ctg 2112 Ser Leu Gly Lys Arg Leu Gln Ala Ser Leu Gly Gly Gly Ser Trp Leu 690 695 700 ggg acc caa ctg gct cca gaa gta ccc ttt cga cca ccc tgc tgt gac 2160 Gly Thr Gln Leu Ala Pro Glu Val Pro Phe Arg Pro Pro Cys Cys Asp 705 710 715 720 atc tgc ccc aca cct cca cca gac cct cgg ctc ctc cag ggc aag gct 2208 Ile Cys Pro Thr Pro Pro Pro Asp Pro Arg Leu Leu Gln Gly Lys Ala 725 730 735 ttt gcc aga gtt cct ttg aat ata gct cca att cag ccc ctg ccc agg 2256 Phe Ala Arg Val Pro Leu Asn Ile Ala Pro Ile Gln Pro Leu Pro Arg 740 745 750 ggc ttg gca tct gtt gag agg atg aat gtc acg gtg ttg gca ggg gct 2304 Gly Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Arg Met Asn Val Thr Val Leu Ala Gly Ala 755 760 765 ggg cct ggg gac cca aag acc cat gca atg act gac cca ctg tgc cat 2352 Gly Pro Gly Asp Pro Lys Thr His Ala Met Thr Asp Pro Leu Cys His 770 775 780 ctg agc agc ctc acg ctg tcc cac tgc aaa ctc cct gac gcg gtc tgc 2400 Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Leu Ser His Cys Lys Leu Pro Asp Ala Val Cys 785 790 795 800 cga gac ctt tct gag gcc ctg agg gca gcc ccc gca ctg acg gag ctg 2448 Arg Asp Leu Ser Glu Ala Leu Arg Ala Ala Pro Ala Leu Thr Glu Leu 805 810 815 ggc ctc ctc cac aac agg ctc agt gag gca gga ctg cgt atg ctg agt 2496 Gly Leu Leu His Asn Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala Gly Leu Arg Met Leu Ser 820 825 830 gag ggc cta gcc tgg ccg cag tgc agg gtg cag acg gtc agg gta cag 2544 Glu Gly Leu Ala Trp Pro Gln Cys Arg Val Gln Thr Val Arg Val Gln 835 840 845 ctg cct gac ccc cag cga ggg ctc cag tac ctg gtg ggt atg ctt cgg 2592 Leu Pro Asp Pro Gln Arg Gly Leu Gln Tyr Leu Val Gly Met Leu Arg 850 855 860 cag agc cct gcc ctg acc acc ctg gat ctc agc ggc tgc caa ctg ccc 2640 Gln Ser Pro Ala Leu Thr Thr Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Cys Gln Leu Pro 865 870 875 880 gcc ccc atg gtg acc tac ctg tgt gca gtc ctg cag cac cag gga tgc 2688 Ala Pro Met Val Thr Tyr Leu Cys Ala Val Leu Gln His Gln Gly Cys 885 890 895 ggc ctg cag acc ctc agt ctg gcc tct gtg gag ctg agc gag cag tca 2736 Gly Leu Gln Thr Leu Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Ser 900 905 910 cta cag gag ctt cag gct gtg aag aga gca aag ccg gat ctg gtc atc 2784 Leu Gln Glu Leu Gln Ala Val Lys Arg Ala Lys Pro Asp Leu Val Ile 915 920 925 aca cac cca gcg ctg gac ggc cac cca caa cct ccc aag gaa ctc atc 2832 Thr His Pro Ala Leu Asp Gly His Pro Gln Pro Pro Lys Glu Leu Ile 930 935 940 tcg acc ttc tga 2844 Ser Thr Phe 945 <210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 947 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 18 Met Asp Gln Pro Glu Ala Pro Cys Ser Ser Thr Gly Pro Arg Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Val Ala Arg Glu Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Glu Glu Leu Ser Gln Glu 20 25 30 Gln Leu Lys Arg Phe Arg His Lys Leu Arg Asp Val Gly Pro Asp Gly 35 40 45 Arg Ser Ile Pro Trp Gly Arg Leu Glu Arg Ala Asp Ala Val Asp Leu 50 55 60 Ala Glu Gln Leu Ala Gln Phe Tyr Gly Pro Glu Pro Ala Leu Glu Val 65 70 75 80 Ala Arg Lys Thr Leu Lys Arg Ala Asp Ala Arg Asp Val Ala Ala Gln 85 90 95 Leu Gln Glu Arg Arg Leu Gln Arg Leu Gly Leu Gly Ser Gly Thr Leu 100 105 110 Leu Ser Val Ser Glu Tyr Lys Lys Lys Tyr Arg Glu His Val Leu Gln 115 120 125 Leu His Ala Arg Val Lys Glu Arg Asn Ala Arg Ser Val Lys Ile Thr 130 135 140 Lys Arg Phe Thr Lys Leu Leu Ile Ala Pro Glu Ser Ala Ala Pro Glu 145 150 155 160 Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Ala Glu Glu Pro Glu Pro Gly Arg Ala Arg Arg 165 170 175 Ser Asp Thr His Thr Phe Asn Arg Leu Phe Arg Arg Asp Glu Glu Gly 180 185 190 Arg Arg Pro Leu Thr Val Val Leu Gln Gly Pro Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys 195 200 205 Thr Met Ala Ala Lys Lys Ile Leu Tyr Asp Trp Ala Ala Gly Lys Leu 210 215 220 Tyr Gln Gly Gln Val Asp Phe Ala Phe Phe Met Pro Cys Gly Glu Leu 225 230 235 240 Leu Glu Arg Pro Gly Thr Arg Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Leu Asp Gln 245 250 255 Cys Pro Asp Arg Gly Ala Pro Val Pro Gln Met Leu Ala Gln Pro Gln 260 265 270 Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Gly Ala Asp Glu Leu Pro Ala Leu Gly 275 280 285 Gly Pro Glu Ala Ala Pro Cys Thr Asp Pro Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Gly 290 295 300 Ala Arg Val Leu Gly Gly Leu Leu Ser Lys Ala Leu Leu Pro Thr Ala 305 310 315 320 Leu Leu Leu Val Thr Thr Arg Ala Ala Ala Pro Gly Arg Leu Gln Gly 325 330 335 Arg Leu Cys Ser Pro Gln Cys Ala Glu Val Arg Gly Phe Ser Asp Lys 340 345 350 Asp Lys Lys Lys Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Phe Phe Arg Asp Glu Arg Arg Ala 355 360 365 Glu Arg Ala Tyr Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Asn Glu Thr Leu Phe Ala Leu 370 375 380 Cys Phe Val Pro Phe Val Cys Trp Ile Val Cys Thr Val Leu Arg Gln 385 390 395 400 Gln Leu Glu Leu Gly Arg Asp Leu Ser Arg Thr Ser Lys Thr Thr Thr 405 410 415 Ser Val Tyr Leu Leu Phe Ile Thr Ser Val Leu Ser Ser Ala Pro Val 420 425 430 Ala Asp Gly Pro Arg Leu Gln Gly Asp Leu Arg Asn Leu Cys Arg Leu 435 440 445 Ala Arg Glu Gly Val Leu Gly Arg Arg Ala Gln Phe Ala Glu Lys Glu 450 455 460 Leu Glu Gln Leu Glu Leu Arg Gly Ser Lys Val Gln Thr Leu Phe Leu 465 470 475 480 Ser Lys Lys Glu Leu Pro Gly Val Leu Glu Thr Glu Val Thr Tyr Gln 485 490 495 Phe Ile Asp Gln Ser Phe Gln Glu Phe Leu Ala Ala Leu Ser Tyr Leu 500 505 510 Leu Glu Asp Gly Gly Val Pro Arg Thr Ala Ala Gly Gly Val Gly Thr 515 520 525 Leu Leu Arg Gly Asp Ala Gln Pro His Ser His Leu Val Leu Thr Thr 530 535 540 Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Leu Ser Ala Glu Arg Met Arg Asp Ile Glu 545 550 555 560 Arg His Phe Gly Cys Met Val Ser Glu Arg Val Lys Gln Glu Ala Leu 565 570 575 Arg Trp Val Gln Gly Gln Gly Gln Gly Cys Pro Gly Val Ala Pro Glu 580 585 590 Val Thr Glu Gly Ala Lys Gly Leu Glu Asp Thr Glu Glu Pro Glu Glu 595 600 605 Glu Glu Glu Gly Glu Glu Pro Asn Tyr Pro Leu Glu Leu Leu Tyr Cys 610 615 620 Leu Tyr Glu Thr Gln Glu Asp Ala Phe Val Arg Gln Ala Leu Cys Arg 625 630 635 640 Phe Pro Glu Leu Ala Leu Gln Arg Val Arg Phe Cys Arg Met Asp Val 645 650 655 Ala Val Leu Ser Tyr Cys Val Arg Cys Cys Pro Ala Gly Gln Ala Leu 660 665 670 Arg Leu Ile Ser Cys Arg Leu Val Ala Ala Gln Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys 675 680 685 Ser Leu Gly Lys Arg Leu Gln Ala Ser Leu Gly Gly Gly Ser Trp Leu 690 695 700 Gly Thr Gln Leu Ala Pro Glu Val Pro Phe Arg Pro Pro Cys Cys Asp 705 710 715 720 Ile Cys Pro Thr Pro Pro Pro Asp Pro Arg Leu Leu Gln Gly Lys Ala 725 730 735 Phe Ala Arg Val Pro Leu Asn Ile Ala Pro Ile Gln Pro Leu Pro Arg 740 745 750 Gly Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Arg Met Asn Val Thr Val Leu Ala Gly Ala 755 760 765 Gly Pro Gly Asp Pro Lys Thr His Ala Met Thr Asp Pro Leu Cys His 770 775 780 Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Leu Ser His Cys Lys Leu Pro Asp Ala Val Cys 785 790 795 800 Arg Asp Leu Ser Glu Ala Leu Arg Ala Ala Pro Ala Leu Thr Glu Leu 805 810 815 Gly Leu Leu His Asn Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala Gly Leu Arg Met Leu Ser 820 825 830 Glu Gly Leu Ala Trp Pro Gln Cys Arg Val Gln Thr Val Arg Val Gln 835 840 845 Leu Pro Asp Pro Gln Arg Gly Leu Gln Tyr Leu Val Gly Met Leu Arg 850 855 860 Gln Ser Pro Ala Leu Thr Thr Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Cys Gln Leu Pro 865 870 875 880 Ala Pro Met Val Thr Tyr Leu Cys Ala Val Leu Gln His Gln Gly Cys 885 890 895 Gly Leu Gln Thr Leu Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Ser 900 905 910 Leu Gln Glu Leu Gln Ala Val Lys Arg Ala Lys Pro Asp Leu Val Ile 915 920 925 Thr His Pro Ala Leu Asp Gly His Pro Gln Pro Pro Lys Glu Leu Ile 930 935 940 Ser Thr Phe 945 <210> SEQ ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 2046 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(2043) <400> SEQUENCE: 19 atg agt gac gtg aat cca ccc tct gac acc ccc att ccc ttt tca tcc 48 Met Ser Asp Val Asn Pro Pro Ser Asp Thr Pro Ile Pro Phe Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 tcc tcc act cac agt tct cat att ccg ccc tgg aca ttc tct tgc tac 96 Ser Ser Thr His Ser Ser His Ile Pro Pro Trp Thr Phe Ser Cys Tyr 20 25 30 ccc ggc tcc cca tgt gaa aat ggg gtc atg ctg tac atg aga aac gtg 144 Pro Gly Ser Pro Cys Glu Asn Gly Val Met Leu Tyr Met Arg Asn Val 35 40 45 agc cat gag gag cta caa cgg ttc aag cag ctc tta ctg act gag ctc 192 Ser His Glu Glu Leu Gln Arg Phe Lys Gln Leu Leu Leu Thr Glu Leu 50 55 60 agt act ggc acc atg ccc atc acc tgg gac cag gtc gag aca gcc agc 240 Ser Thr Gly Thr Met Pro Ile Thr Trp Asp Gln Val Glu Thr Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 tgg gca gag gtg gtt cat ctc ttg ata gag cgt ttc cct gga cga cgc 288 Trp Ala Glu Val Val His Leu Leu Ile Glu Arg Phe Pro Gly Arg Arg 85 90 95 gct tgg gat gtg act tcg aac atc ttt gcc att atg aac tgt gat aaa 336 Ala Trp Asp Val Thr Ser Asn Ile Phe Ala Ile Met Asn Cys Asp Lys 100 105 110 atg tgt gtt gta gtc cgc aga gag ata aat gcc att ctg cct acc ttg 384 Met Cys Val Val Val Arg Arg Glu Ile Asn Ala Ile Leu Pro Thr Leu 115 120 125 gaa cca gag gac ttg aat gtg gga gaa aca cag gtg aat ctg gag gaa 432 Glu Pro Glu Asp Leu Asn Val Gly Glu Thr Gln Val Asn Leu Glu Glu 130 135 140 gga gaa tct ggt aaa ata cgg cgg tat aaa tcg aat gtg atg gaa aag 480 Gly Glu Ser Gly Lys Ile Arg Arg Tyr Lys Ser Asn Val Met Glu Lys 145 150 155 160 ttt ttc ccc ata tgg gac att acg act tgg cct gga aac cag agg gac 528 Phe Phe Pro Ile Trp Asp Ile Thr Thr Trp Pro Gly Asn Gln Arg Asp 165 170 175 ttc ttc tac caa ggt gta cac agg cac gag gag tac tta cca tgt ctg 576 Phe Phe Tyr Gln Gly Val His Arg His Glu Glu Tyr Leu Pro Cys Leu 180 185 190 ctt ctg ccc aaa aga ccc cag ggt aga cag ccc aag acc gtg gcc ata 624 Leu Leu Pro Lys Arg Pro Gln Gly Arg Gln Pro Lys Thr Val Ala Ile 195 200 205 cag gga gct cct ggg atc gga aaa aca atc ctg gcc aaa aag gtg atg 672 Gln Gly Ala Pro Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr Ile Leu Ala Lys Lys Val Met 210 215 220 ttt gag tgg gcc aga aac aag ttc tac gcc cac aag cgc tgg tgt gct 720 Phe Glu Trp Ala Arg Asn Lys Phe Tyr Ala His Lys Arg Trp Cys Ala 225 230 235 240 ttc tac ttc cat tgc caa gag gtg aac cag acg aca gac cag agc ttc 768 Phe Tyr Phe His Cys Gln Glu Val Asn Gln Thr Thr Asp Gln Ser Phe 245 250 255 tcc gag ctg att gag caa aag tgg cct gga tct cag gac ctc gtg tca 816 Ser Glu Leu Ile Glu Gln Lys Trp Pro Gly Ser Gln Asp Leu Val Ser 260 265 270 aag att atg tcc aaa ccc gac caa ctt ctg ctg ctc ttg gat ggc ttt 864 Lys Ile Met Ser Lys Pro Asp Gln Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu Asp Gly Phe 275 280 285 gag gag ctc aca tct acc ctc att gac aga ctg gag gac ctg agt gaa 912 Glu Glu Leu Thr Ser Thr Leu Ile Asp Arg Leu Glu Asp Leu Ser Glu 290 295 300 gac tgg agg cag aaa ttg cct ggg tct gtc cta ctg agc agt ttg ctg 960 Asp Trp Arg Gln Lys Leu Pro Gly Ser Val Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Leu 305 310 315 320 agc aaa acg atg ctt cca gag gcc acg cta ctg atc atg ata aga ttt 1008 Ser Lys Thr Met Leu Pro Glu Ala Thr Leu Leu Ile Met Ile Arg Phe 325 330 335 acc tct tgg cag aca tgc aag ccc ttg ctg aaa tgt ccc tct ctc gta 1056 Thr Ser Trp Gln Thr Cys Lys Pro Leu Leu Lys Cys Pro Ser Leu Val 340 345 350 acc ctt ccg ggg ttt aat acg atg gaa aaa atc aag tat ttc cag atg 1104 Thr Leu Pro Gly Phe Asn Thr Met Glu Lys Ile Lys Tyr Phe Gln Met 355 360 365 tat ttt gga cac aca gag gag gga gac caa gtc ttg agt ttc gcc atg 1152 Tyr Phe Gly His Thr Glu Glu Gly Asp Gln Val Leu Ser Phe Ala Met 370 375 380 gaa aac acc att ctc ttc tcc atg tgc cgg gtc cct gtg gtt tgc tgg 1200 Glu Asn Thr Ile Leu Phe Ser Met Cys Arg Val Pro Val Val Cys Trp 385 390 395 400 atg gtc tgc tct ggt ctg aaa cag caa atg gag aga gga aac aat ctc 1248 Met Val Cys Ser Gly Leu Lys Gln Gln Met Glu Arg Gly Asn Asn Leu 405 410 415 aca cag tca tgt cca aat gcc acc tct gtg ttc gtc cgg tat att tct 1296 Thr Gln Ser Cys Pro Asn Ala Thr Ser Val Phe Val Arg Tyr Ile Ser 420 425 430 agc ttg ttt ccc acc aga gct gag aac ttt tcc aga aag atc cac caa 1344 Ser Leu Phe Pro Thr Arg Ala Glu Asn Phe Ser Arg Lys Ile His Gln 435 440 445 gca caa ctg gaa ggt ctg tgt cac ttg gcc gca gac agc atg tgg cac 1392 Ala Gln Leu Glu Gly Leu Cys His Leu Ala Ala Asp Ser Met Trp His 450 455 460 agg aaa tgg gtg tta ggt aaa gaa gat ctt gag gaa gcc aag ctg gat 1440 Arg Lys Trp Val Leu Gly Lys Glu Asp Leu Glu Glu Ala Lys Leu Asp 465 470 475 480 cag acg gga gtc acc gcc ttc ctt ggc atg agt att ctt cgg aga att 1488 Gln Thr Gly Val Thr Ala Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Leu Arg Arg Ile 485 490 495 gca ggt gag gaa gac cac tat gtc ttt acc ctc gtg act ttt cag gaa 1536 Ala Gly Glu Glu Asp His Tyr Val Phe Thr Leu Val Thr Phe Gln Glu 500 505 510 ttt ttt gcg gcc ttg ttt tat gtt ctc tgt ttc cca caa aga ctc aaa 1584 Phe Phe Ala Ala Leu Phe Tyr Val Leu Cys Phe Pro Gln Arg Leu Lys 515 520 525 aat ttt cat gtg ttg agc cac gtg aat atc cag cgc ctg ata gcg agt 1632 Asn Phe His Val Leu Ser His Val Asn Ile Gln Arg Leu Ile Ala Ser 530 535 540 ccc aga gga agc aaa agc tat ctc tct cac atg gga ctt ttc tta ttc 1680 Pro Arg Gly Ser Lys Ser Tyr Leu Ser His Met Gly Leu Phe Leu Phe 545 550 555 560 ggt ttt ctg aac gag gcc tgc gct tcg gcc gtg gaa cag tca ttc caa 1728 Gly Phe Leu Asn Glu Ala Cys Ala Ser Ala Val Glu Gln Ser Phe Gln 565 570 575 tgc aag gtg tct ttc ggt aat aag agg aaa ctg ctg aaa gtc ata cct 1776 Cys Lys Val Ser Phe Gly Asn Lys Arg Lys Leu Leu Lys Val Ile Pro 580 585 590 ctg ttg cat aaa tgt gac cca cct tct ccg ggc agt ggg gtc ccg cag 1824 Leu Leu His Lys Cys Asp Pro Pro Ser Pro Gly Ser Gly Val Pro Gln 595 600 605 tta ttc tac tgt ctg cat gaa atc cgg gag gaa gcc ttt gta agc caa 1872 Leu Phe Tyr Cys Leu His Glu Ile Arg Glu Glu Ala Phe Val Ser Gln 610 615 620 gcc cta aat gat tat cat aaa gtt gtc ttg aga att ggc aac aac aaa 1920 Ala Leu Asn Asp Tyr His Lys Val Val Leu Arg Ile Gly Asn Asn Lys 625 630 635 640 gaa gtt caa gtg tct gct ttt tgc ctg aag cgg tgt caa tat ttg cat 1968 Glu Val Gln Val Ser Ala Phe Cys Leu Lys Arg Cys Gln Tyr Leu His 645 650 655 gag gtg gaa ctg acc gtc acc ctg aac ttc atg aac gtg tgg aag ctc 2016 Glu Val Glu Leu Thr Val Thr Leu Asn Phe Met Asn Val Trp Lys Leu 660 665 670 agc tcc agc tcc cat cct ggc tct gag taa 2046 Ser Ser Ser Ser His Pro Gly Ser Glu 675 680 <210> SEQ ID NO 20 <211> LENGTH: 681 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 20 Met Ser Asp Val Asn Pro Pro Ser Asp Thr Pro Ile Pro Phe Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Ser Thr His Ser Ser His Ile Pro Pro Trp Thr Phe Ser Cys Tyr 20 25 30 Pro Gly Ser Pro Cys Glu Asn Gly Val Met Leu Tyr Met Arg Asn Val 35 40 45 Ser His Glu Glu Leu Gln Arg Phe Lys Gln Leu Leu Leu Thr Glu Leu 50 55 60 Ser Thr Gly Thr Met Pro Ile Thr Trp Asp Gln Val Glu Thr Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 Trp Ala Glu Val Val His Leu Leu Ile Glu Arg Phe Pro Gly Arg Arg 85 90 95 Ala Trp Asp Val Thr Ser Asn Ile Phe Ala Ile Met Asn Cys Asp Lys 100 105 110 Met Cys Val Val Val Arg Arg Glu Ile Asn Ala Ile Leu Pro Thr Leu 115 120 125 Glu Pro Glu Asp Leu Asn Val Gly Glu Thr Gln Val Asn Leu Glu Glu 130 135 140 Gly Glu Ser Gly Lys Ile Arg Arg Tyr Lys Ser Asn Val Met Glu Lys 145 150 155 160 Phe Phe Pro Ile Trp Asp Ile Thr Thr Trp Pro Gly Asn Gln Arg Asp 165 170 175 Phe Phe Tyr Gln Gly Val His Arg His Glu Glu Tyr Leu Pro Cys Leu 180 185 190 Leu Leu Pro Lys Arg Pro Gln Gly Arg Gln Pro Lys Thr Val Ala Ile 195 200 205 Gln Gly Ala Pro Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr Ile Leu Ala Lys Lys Val Met 210 215 220 Phe Glu Trp Ala Arg Asn Lys Phe Tyr Ala His Lys Arg Trp Cys Ala 225 230 235 240 Phe Tyr Phe His Cys Gln Glu Val Asn Gln Thr Thr Asp Gln Ser Phe 245 250 255 Ser Glu Leu Ile Glu Gln Lys Trp Pro Gly Ser Gln Asp Leu Val Ser 260 265 270 Lys Ile Met Ser Lys Pro Asp Gln Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu Asp Gly Phe 275 280 285 Glu Glu Leu Thr Ser Thr Leu Ile Asp Arg Leu Glu Asp Leu Ser Glu 290 295 300 Asp Trp Arg Gln Lys Leu Pro Gly Ser Val Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Leu 305 310 315 320 Ser Lys Thr Met Leu Pro Glu Ala Thr Leu Leu Ile Met Ile Arg Phe 325 330 335 Thr Ser Trp Gln Thr Cys Lys Pro Leu Leu Lys Cys Pro Ser Leu Val 340 345 350 Thr Leu Pro Gly Phe Asn Thr Met Glu Lys Ile Lys Tyr Phe Gln Met 355 360 365 Tyr Phe Gly His Thr Glu Glu Gly Asp Gln Val Leu Ser Phe Ala Met 370 375 380 Glu Asn Thr Ile Leu Phe Ser Met Cys Arg Val Pro Val Val Cys Trp 385 390 395 400 Met Val Cys Ser Gly Leu Lys Gln Gln Met Glu Arg Gly Asn Asn Leu 405 410 415 Thr Gln Ser Cys Pro Asn Ala Thr Ser Val Phe Val Arg Tyr Ile Ser 420 425 430 Ser Leu Phe Pro Thr Arg Ala Glu Asn Phe Ser Arg Lys Ile His Gln 435 440 445 Ala Gln Leu Glu Gly Leu Cys His Leu Ala Ala Asp Ser Met Trp His 450 455 460 Arg Lys Trp Val Leu Gly Lys Glu Asp Leu Glu Glu Ala Lys Leu Asp 465 470 475 480 Gln Thr Gly Val Thr Ala Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Leu Arg Arg Ile 485 490 495 Ala Gly Glu Glu Asp His Tyr Val Phe Thr Leu Val Thr Phe Gln Glu 500 505 510 Phe Phe Ala Ala Leu Phe Tyr Val Leu Cys Phe Pro Gln Arg Leu Lys 515 520 525 Asn Phe His Val Leu Ser His Val Asn Ile Gln Arg Leu Ile Ala Ser 530 535 540 Pro Arg Gly Ser Lys Ser Tyr Leu Ser His Met Gly Leu Phe Leu Phe 545 550 555 560 Gly Phe Leu Asn Glu Ala Cys Ala Ser Ala Val Glu Gln Ser Phe Gln 565 570 575 Cys Lys Val Ser Phe Gly Asn Lys Arg Lys Leu Leu Lys Val Ile Pro 580 585 590 Leu Leu His Lys Cys Asp Pro Pro Ser Pro Gly Ser Gly Val Pro Gln 595 600 605 Leu Phe Tyr Cys Leu His Glu Ile Arg Glu Glu Ala Phe Val Ser Gln 610 615 620 Ala Leu Asn Asp Tyr His Lys Val Val Leu Arg Ile Gly Asn Asn Lys 625 630 635 640 Glu Val Gln Val Ser Ala Phe Cys Leu Lys Arg Cys Gln Tyr Leu His 645 650 655 Glu Val Glu Leu Thr Val Thr Leu Asn Phe Met Asn Val Trp Lys Leu 660 665 670 Ser Ser Ser Ser His Pro Gly Ser Glu 675 680 <210> SEQ ID NO 21 <211> LENGTH: 1515 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(1512) <400> SEQUENCE: 21 atg gcc atg gcc aag gcc aga aag ccc cgg gag gca ttg ctc tgg gcc 48 Met Ala Met Ala Lys Ala Arg Lys Pro Arg Glu Ala Leu Leu Trp Ala 1 5 10 15 ttg agt gac ctt gag gag aac gat ttc aag aag tta aag ttc tac tta 96 Leu Ser Asp Leu Glu Glu Asn Asp Phe Lys Lys Leu Lys Phe Tyr Leu 20 25 30 cgg gat atg acc ctg tct gag ggc cag ccc cca ctg gcc aga ggg gag 144 Arg Asp Met Thr Leu Ser Glu Gly Gln Pro Pro Leu Ala Arg Gly Glu 35 40 45 ttg gag ggc ctg att ccg gtg gac ctg gca gaa tta ctg att tca aag 192 Leu Glu Gly Leu Ile Pro Val Asp Leu Ala Glu Leu Leu Ile Ser Lys 50 55 60 tat gga gaa aag gag gct gtg aaa gtt gtc ctc aag ggc ttg aag gtc 240 Tyr Gly Glu Lys Glu Ala Val Lys Val Val Leu Lys Gly Leu Lys Val 65 70 75 80 atg aac ctg ttg gaa ctt gtg gac cag ctc agc cat att tgt ctg cat 288 Met Asn Leu Leu Glu Leu Val Asp Gln Leu Ser His Ile Cys Leu His 85 90 95 ggg gtc ggc tgg cac tgg aaa gac aac tct cgc cag aaa aag gtg ttg 336 Gly Val Gly Trp His Trp Lys Asp Asn Ser Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Leu 100 105 110 gac tgg gcc acc ggt act ctg tac cca ggc cgg ttt gat tat gtc ttt 384 Asp Trp Ala Thr Gly Thr Leu Tyr Pro Gly Arg Phe Asp Tyr Val Phe 115 120 125 tat gta agc tgc aaa gaa gtg gtc ctg ctg ctg gag agc aaa ctg gag 432 Tyr Val Ser Cys Lys Glu Val Val Leu Leu Leu Glu Ser Lys Leu Glu 130 135 140 cag ctc ctt ttc tgg tgc tgc ggg gac aat caa gcc cct gtc aca gag 480 Gln Leu Leu Phe Trp Cys Cys Gly Asp Asn Gln Ala Pro Val Thr Glu 145 150 155 160 att ctg agg cag cca gag cgg ctc ctg ttc atc ctg gat ggc ttt gat 528 Ile Leu Arg Gln Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Gly Phe Asp 165 170 175 gag ctg cag agg ccc ttt gaa gaa aag ttg aag aag agg ggt ttg agt 576 Glu Leu Gln Arg Pro Phe Glu Glu Lys Leu Lys Lys Arg Gly Leu Ser 180 185 190 ccc aag gag agc ctg ctg cac ctt cta att agg aga cat aca ctc ccc 624 Pro Lys Glu Ser Leu Leu His Leu Leu Ile Arg Arg His Thr Leu Pro 195 200 205 acg tgc tcc ctt ctc atc acc acc cgg ccc ctg gct ttg agg aat ctg 672 Thr Cys Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Leu Ala Leu Arg Asn Leu 210 215 220 gag ccc ttg ctg aaa caa gca cgt cat gtc cat atc cta ggc ttc tct 720 Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Gln Ala Arg His Val His Ile Leu Gly Phe Ser 225 230 235 240 gag gag gag agg gcg agg tac ttc agc tcc tat ttc acg gat gag aag 768 Glu Glu Glu Arg Ala Arg Tyr Phe Ser Ser Tyr Phe Thr Asp Glu Lys 245 250 255 caa gct gac cgt gcc ttc gac att gta cag aaa aat gac att ctc tac 816 Gln Ala Asp Arg Ala Phe Asp Ile Val Gln Lys Asn Asp Ile Leu Tyr 260 265 270 aaa gcg tgt cag gtt cca ggc att tgc tgg gtg gtc tgc tcc tgg ctg 864 Lys Ala Cys Gln Val Pro Gly Ile Cys Trp Val Val Cys Ser Trp Leu 275 280 285 cag ggg cag atg gag aga ggc aaa gtt gtc tta gag aca cct aga aac 912 Gln Gly Gln Met Glu Arg Gly Lys Val Val Leu Glu Thr Pro Arg Asn 290 295 300 agc act gac atc ttc atg gct tac gtc tcc acc ttt ctg ccg ccc gat 960 Ser Thr Asp Ile Phe Met Ala Tyr Val Ser Thr Phe Leu Pro Pro Asp 305 310 315 320 gat gat ggg ggc tgc tcc gag ctt tcc cgg cac agg gtc ctg agg agt 1008 Asp Asp Gly Gly Cys Ser Glu Leu Ser Arg His Arg Val Leu Arg Ser 325 330 335 ctg tgc tcc cta gca gct gaa ggg att cag cac cag agg ttc cta ttt 1056 Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Glu Gly Ile Gln His Gln Arg Phe Leu Phe 340 345 350 gaa gaa gct gag ctc agg aaa cat aat tta gat ggc ccc agg ctt gcc 1104 Glu Glu Ala Glu Leu Arg Lys His Asn Leu Asp Gly Pro Arg Leu Ala 355 360 365 gct ttc ctg agt agt aac gac tac caa ttg gga ctt gcc atc aag aag 1152 Ala Phe Leu Ser Ser Asn Asp Tyr Gln Leu Gly Leu Ala Ile Lys Lys 370 375 380 ttc tac agc ttc cgc cac atc agc ttc cag gac ttt ttt cat gcc atg 1200 Phe Tyr Ser Phe Arg His Ile Ser Phe Gln Asp Phe Phe His Ala Met 385 390 395 400 tct tac ctg gtg aaa gag gac caa agc cgg ctg ggg aag gag tcc cgc 1248 Ser Tyr Leu Val Lys Glu Asp Gln Ser Arg Leu Gly Lys Glu Ser Arg 405 410 415 aga gaa gtg caa agg ctg ctg gag gta aag gag cag gaa ggg aat gat 1296 Arg Glu Val Gln Arg Leu Leu Glu Val Lys Glu Gln Glu Gly Asn Asp 420 425 430 gag atg acc ctc act atg cag ttt tta ctg gac atc tcg aaa aaa gac 1344 Glu Met Thr Leu Thr Met Gln Phe Leu Leu Asp Ile Ser Lys Lys Asp 435 440 445 agc ttc tcg aac ttg gag ctc aag ttc tgc ttc aga att tct ccc tgt 1392 Ser Phe Ser Asn Leu Glu Leu Lys Phe Cys Phe Arg Ile Ser Pro Cys 450 455 460 tta gcg cag gat ctg aag cat ttt aaa gaa cag atg gaa tct atg aag 1440 Leu Ala Gln Asp Leu Lys His Phe Lys Glu Gln Met Glu Ser Met Lys 465 470 475 480 cac aac agg acc tgg gat ttg gaa ttc tcc ctg tat gaa gct aaa ata 1488 His Asn Arg Thr Trp Asp Leu Glu Phe Ser Leu Tyr Glu Ala Lys Ile 485 490 495 aag aat ctg gta aaa gta ttc aga tga 1515 Lys Asn Leu Val Lys Val Phe Arg 500 <210> SEQ ID NO 22 <211> LENGTH: 504 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 22 Met Ala Met Ala Lys Ala Arg Lys Pro Arg Glu Ala Leu Leu Trp Ala 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Asp Leu Glu Glu Asn Asp Phe Lys Lys Leu Lys Phe Tyr Leu 20 25 30 Arg Asp Met Thr Leu Ser Glu Gly Gln Pro Pro Leu Ala Arg Gly Glu 35 40 45 Leu Glu Gly Leu Ile Pro Val Asp Leu Ala Glu Leu Leu Ile Ser Lys 50 55 60 Tyr Gly Glu Lys Glu Ala Val Lys Val Val Leu Lys Gly Leu Lys Val 65 70 75 80 Met Asn Leu Leu Glu Leu Val Asp Gln Leu Ser His Ile Cys Leu His 85 90 95 Gly Val Gly Trp His Trp Lys Asp Asn Ser Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Leu 100 105 110 Asp Trp Ala Thr Gly Thr Leu Tyr Pro Gly Arg Phe Asp Tyr Val Phe 115 120 125 Tyr Val Ser Cys Lys Glu Val Val Leu Leu Leu Glu Ser Lys Leu Glu 130 135 140 Gln Leu Leu Phe Trp Cys Cys Gly Asp Asn Gln Ala Pro Val Thr Glu 145 150 155 160 Ile Leu Arg Gln Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Gly Phe Asp 165 170 175 Glu Leu Gln Arg Pro Phe Glu Glu Lys Leu Lys Lys Arg Gly Leu Ser 180 185 190 Pro Lys Glu Ser Leu Leu His Leu Leu Ile Arg Arg His Thr Leu Pro 195 200 205 Thr Cys Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Leu Ala Leu Arg Asn Leu 210 215 220 Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Gln Ala Arg His Val His Ile Leu Gly Phe Ser 225 230 235 240 Glu Glu Glu Arg Ala Arg Tyr Phe Ser Ser Tyr Phe Thr Asp Glu Lys 245 250 255 Gln Ala Asp Arg Ala Phe Asp Ile Val Gln Lys Asn Asp Ile Leu Tyr 260 265 270 Lys Ala Cys Gln Val Pro Gly Ile Cys Trp Val Val Cys Ser Trp Leu 275 280 285 Gln Gly Gln Met Glu Arg Gly Lys Val Val Leu Glu Thr Pro Arg Asn 290 295 300 Ser Thr Asp Ile Phe Met Ala Tyr Val Ser Thr Phe Leu Pro Pro Asp 305 310 315 320 Asp Asp Gly Gly Cys Ser Glu Leu Ser Arg His Arg Val Leu Arg Ser 325 330 335 Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Glu Gly Ile Gln His Gln Arg Phe Leu Phe 340 345 350 Glu Glu Ala Glu Leu Arg Lys His Asn Leu Asp Gly Pro Arg Leu Ala 355 360 365 Ala Phe Leu Ser Ser Asn Asp Tyr Gln Leu Gly Leu Ala Ile Lys Lys 370 375 380 Phe Tyr Ser Phe Arg His Ile Ser Phe Gln Asp Phe Phe His Ala Met 385 390 395 400 Ser Tyr Leu Val Lys Glu Asp Gln Ser Arg Leu Gly Lys Glu Ser Arg 405 410 415 Arg Glu Val Gln Arg Leu Leu Glu Val Lys Glu Gln Glu Gly Asn Asp 420 425 430 Glu Met Thr Leu Thr Met Gln Phe Leu Leu Asp Ile Ser Lys Lys Asp 435 440 445 Ser Phe Ser Asn Leu Glu Leu Lys Phe Cys Phe Arg Ile Ser Pro Cys 450 455 460 Leu Ala Gln Asp Leu Lys His Phe Lys Glu Gln Met Glu Ser Met Lys 465 470 475 480 His Asn Arg Thr Trp Asp Leu Glu Phe Ser Leu Tyr Glu Ala Lys Ile 485 490 495 Lys Asn Leu Val Lys Val Phe Arg 500 <210> SEQ ID NO 23 <211> LENGTH: 3108 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(3105) <400> SEQUENCE: 23 atg cta cga acc gca ggc agg gac ggc ctc tgt cgc ctg tcc acc tac 48 Met Leu Arg Thr Ala Gly Arg Asp Gly Leu Cys Arg Leu Ser Thr Tyr 1 5 10 15 ttg gaa gaa ctc gag gct gtg gaa ctg aag aag ttc aag tta tac ctg 96 Leu Glu Glu Leu Glu Ala Val Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Leu Tyr Leu 20 25 30 ggg acc gcg aca gag ctg gga gaa ggc aag atc ccc tgg gga agc atg 144 Gly Thr Ala Thr Glu Leu Gly Glu Gly Lys Ile Pro Trp Gly Ser Met 35 40 45 gag aag gcc ggt ccc ctg gaa atg gcc cag ctg ctc atc acc cac ttc 192 Glu Lys Ala Gly Pro Leu Glu Met Ala Gln Leu Leu Ile Thr His Phe 50 55 60 ggg cca gag gag gcc tgg agg ttg gct ctc agc acc ttt gag cgg ata 240 Gly Pro Glu Glu Ala Trp Arg Leu Ala Leu Ser Thr Phe Glu Arg Ile 65 70 75 80 aac agg aag gac ctg tgg gag aga gga cag aga gag gac ctg gtg agg 288 Asn Arg Lys Asp Leu Trp Glu Arg Gly Gln Arg Glu Asp Leu Val Arg 85 90 95 gat ccc cag gaa acc tac agg gac tat gtc cgc agg aaa ttc cgg ctc 336 Asp Pro Gln Glu Thr Tyr Arg Asp Tyr Val Arg Arg Lys Phe Arg Leu 100 105 110 atg gaa gac cgc aat gcg cgc cta ggg gaa tgt gtc aac ctc agc cac 384 Met Glu Asp Arg Asn Ala Arg Leu Gly Glu Cys Val Asn Leu Ser His 115 120 125 cgg tac acc cgg ctc ctg ctg gtg aag gag cac tca aac ccc atg cag 432 Arg Tyr Thr Arg Leu Leu Leu Val Lys Glu His Ser Asn Pro Met Gln 130 135 140 gtc cag cag cag ctt ctg gac aca ggc cgg gga cac gcg agg acc gtg 480 Val Gln Gln Gln Leu Leu Asp Thr Gly Arg Gly His Ala Arg Thr Val 145 150 155 160 gga cac cag gct agc ccc atc aag ata gag acc ctc ttt gag cca gac 528 Gly His Gln Ala Ser Pro Ile Lys Ile Glu Thr Leu Phe Glu Pro Asp 165 170 175 gag gag cgc ccc gag cca ccg cgc acc gtg gtc atg caa ggc gcg gca 576 Glu Glu Arg Pro Glu Pro Pro Arg Thr Val Val Met Gln Gly Ala Ala 180 185 190 ggg ata ggc aag tcc atg ctg gca cac aag gtg atg ctg gac tgg gcg 624 Gly Ile Gly Lys Ser Met Leu Ala His Lys Val Met Leu Asp Trp Ala 195 200 205 gac ggg aag ctc ttc caa ggc aga ttt gat tat ctc ttc tac atc aac 672 Asp Gly Lys Leu Phe Gln Gly Arg Phe Asp Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Ile Asn 210 215 220 tgc agg gag atg aac cag agt gcc acg gaa tgc agc atg caa gac ctc 720 Cys Arg Glu Met Asn Gln Ser Ala Thr Glu Cys Ser Met Gln Asp Leu 225 230 235 240 atc ttc agc tgc tgg cct gag ccc agc gcg cct ctc cag gag ctc atc 768 Ile Phe Ser Cys Trp Pro Glu Pro Ser Ala Pro Leu Gln Glu Leu Ile 245 250 255 cga gtt ccc gag cgc ctc ctt ttc atc atc gac ggc ttc gat gag ctc 816 Arg Val Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Gly Phe Asp Glu Leu 260 265 270 aag cct tct ttc cac gat cct cag gga ccc tgg tgc ctc tgc tgg gag 864 Lys Pro Ser Phe His Asp Pro Gln Gly Pro Trp Cys Leu Cys Trp Glu 275 280 285 gag aaa cgg ccc acg gag ctg ctt ctt aac agc tta att cgg aag aag 912 Glu Lys Arg Pro Thr Glu Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ile Arg Lys Lys 290 295 300 ctg ctc cct gag cta tct ttg ctc atc acc aca cgg ccc acg gct ttg 960 Leu Leu Pro Glu Leu Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Thr Ala Leu 305 310 315 320 gag aag ctc cac cgt ctg ctg gag cac ccc agg cat gtg gag atc ctg 1008 Glu Lys Leu His Arg Leu Leu Glu His Pro Arg His Val Glu Ile Leu 325 330 335 ggc ttc tct gag gca gaa agg aag gaa tac ttc tac aag tat ttc cac 1056 Gly Phe Ser Glu Ala Glu Arg Lys Glu Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Tyr Phe His 340 345 350 aat gca gag cag gcg ggc caa gtc ttc aat tac gtg agg gac aac gag 1104 Asn Ala Glu Gln Ala Gly Gln Val Phe Asn Tyr Val Arg Asp Asn Glu 355 360 365 cct ctc ttc acc atg tgc ttc gtc ccc ctg gtg tgc tgg gtg gtg tgt 1152 Pro Leu Phe Thr Met Cys Phe Val Pro Leu Val Cys Trp Val Val Cys 370 375 380 acc tgc ctc cag cag cag ctg gag ggt ggg ggg ctg ttg aga cag acg 1200 Thr Cys Leu Gln Gln Gln Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Leu Leu Arg Gln Thr 385 390 395 400 tcc agg acc acc act gca gtg tac atg ctc tac ctg ctg agt ctg atg 1248 Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Ala Val Tyr Met Leu Tyr Leu Leu Ser Leu Met 405 410 415 caa ccc aag ccg ggg gcc ccg cgc ctc cag ccc cca ccc aac cag aga 1296 Gln Pro Lys Pro Gly Ala Pro Arg Leu Gln Pro Pro Pro Asn Gln Arg 420 425 430 ggg ttg tgc tcc ttg gcg gca gat ggg ctc tgg aat cag aaa atc cta 1344 Gly Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Asp Gly Leu Trp Asn Gln Lys Ile Leu 435 440 445 ttt gag gag cag gac ctc cgg aag cac ggc cta gac ggg gaa gac gtc 1392 Phe Glu Glu Gln Asp Leu Arg Lys His Gly Leu Asp Gly Glu Asp Val 450 455 460 tct gcc ttc ctc aac atg aac atc ttc cag aag gac atc aac tgt gag 1440 Ser Ala Phe Leu Asn Met Asn Ile Phe Gln Lys Asp Ile Asn Cys Glu 465 470 475 480 agg tac tac agc ttc atc cac ttg agt ttc cag gaa ttc ttt gca gct 1488 Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Phe Ile His Leu Ser Phe Gln Glu Phe Phe Ala Ala 485 490 495 atg tac tat atc ctg gac gag ggg gag ggc ggg gca ggc cca gac cag 1536 Met Tyr Tyr Ile Leu Asp Glu Gly Glu Gly Gly Ala Gly Pro Asp Gln 500 505 510 gac gtg acc agg ctg ttg acc gag tac gcg ttt tct gaa agg agc ttc 1584 Asp Val Thr Arg Leu Leu Thr Glu Tyr Ala Phe Ser Glu Arg Ser Phe 515 520 525 ctg gca ctc acc agc cgc ttc ctg ttt gga ctc ctg aac gag gag acc 1632 Leu Ala Leu Thr Ser Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Leu Asn Glu Glu Thr 530 535 540 agg agc cac ctg gag aag agt ctc tgc tgg aag gtc tcg ccg cac atc 1680 Arg Ser His Leu Glu Lys Ser Leu Cys Trp Lys Val Ser Pro His Ile 545 550 555 560 aag atg gac ctg ttg cag tgg atc caa agc aaa gct cag agc gac ggc 1728 Lys Met Asp Leu Leu Gln Trp Ile Gln Ser Lys Ala Gln Ser Asp Gly 565 570 575 tcc acc ctg cag cag ggc tcc ttg gag ttc ttc agc tgc ttg tac gag 1776 Ser Thr Leu Gln Gln Gly Ser Leu Glu Phe Phe Ser Cys Leu Tyr Glu 580 585 590 atc cag gag gag gag ttt atc cag cag gcc ctg agc cac ttc cag gtg 1824 Ile Gln Glu Glu Glu Phe Ile Gln Gln Ala Leu Ser His Phe Gln Val 595 600 605 atc gtg gtc agc aac att gcc tcc aag atg gag cac atg gtc tcc tcg 1872 Ile Val Val Ser Asn Ile Ala Ser Lys Met Glu His Met Val Ser Ser 610 615 620 ttc tgt ctg aag cgc tgc agg agc gcc cag gtg ctg cac ttg tat ggc 1920 Phe Cys Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ser Ala Gln Val Leu His Leu Tyr Gly 625 630 635 640 gcc acc tac agc gcg gac ggg gaa gac cgc gcg agg tgc tcc gca gga 1968 Ala Thr Tyr Ser Ala Asp Gly Glu Asp Arg Ala Arg Cys Ser Ala Gly 645 650 655 gcg cac acg ctg ttg gtg cag ctc aga cca gag agg acc gtt ctg ctg 2016 Ala His Thr Leu Leu Val Gln Leu Arg Pro Glu Arg Thr Val Leu Leu 660 665 670 gac gcc tac agt gaa cat ctg gca gcg gcc ctg tgc acc aat cca aac 2064 Asp Ala Tyr Ser Glu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Leu Cys Thr Asn Pro Asn 675 680 685 ctg ata gag ctg tct ctg tac cga aat gcc ctg ggc agc cgg ggg gtg 2112 Leu Ile Glu Leu Ser Leu Tyr Arg Asn Ala Leu Gly Ser Arg Gly Val 690 695 700 aag ctg ctc tgt caa gga ctc aga cac ccc aac tgc aaa ctt cag aac 2160 Lys Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro Asn Cys Lys Leu Gln Asn 705 710 715 720 ctg agg ctg aag agg tgc cgc atc tcc agc tca gcc tgc gag gac ctc 2208 Leu Arg Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Ala Cys Glu Asp Leu 725 730 735 tct gca gct ctc ata gcc aat aag aat ttg aca agg atg gat ctc agt 2256 Ser Ala Ala Leu Ile Ala Asn Lys Asn Leu Thr Arg Met Asp Leu Ser 740 745 750 ggc aac ggc gtt gga ttc cca ggc atg atg ctg ctt tgc gag ggc ctg 2304 Gly Asn Gly Val Gly Phe Pro Gly Met Met Leu Leu Cys Glu Gly Leu 755 760 765 cgg cat ccc cag tgc agg ctg cag atg att cag ttg agg aag tgt cag 2352 Arg His Pro Gln Cys Arg Leu Gln Met Ile Gln Leu Arg Lys Cys Gln 770 775 780 ctg gag tcc ggg gct tgt cag gag atg gct tct gtg ctc ggc acc aac 2400 Leu Glu Ser Gly Ala Cys Gln Glu Met Ala Ser Val Leu Gly Thr Asn 785 790 795 800 cca cat ctg gtt gag ttg gac ctg aca gga aat gca ctg gag gat ttg 2448 Pro His Leu Val Glu Leu Asp Leu Thr Gly Asn Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu 805 810 815 ggc ctg agg tta cta tgc cag gga ctg agg cac cca gtc tgc aga cta 2496 Gly Leu Arg Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro Val Cys Arg Leu 820 825 830 cgg act ttg tgg ctg aag atc tgc cgc ctc act gct gct gcc tgt gac 2544 Arg Thr Leu Trp Leu Lys Ile Cys Arg Leu Thr Ala Ala Ala Cys Asp 835 840 845 gag ctg gcc tca act ctc agt gtg aac cag agc ctg aga gag ctg gac 2592 Glu Leu Ala Ser Thr Leu Ser Val Asn Gln Ser Leu Arg Glu Leu Asp 850 855 860 ctg agc ctg aat gag ctg ggg gac ctc ggg gtg ctg ctg ctg tgt gag 2640 Leu Ser Leu Asn Glu Leu Gly Asp Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Cys Glu 865 870 875 880 ggc ctc agg cat ccc acg tgc aag ctc cag acc ctg cgg ttg ggc atc 2688 Gly Leu Arg His Pro Thr Cys Lys Leu Gln Thr Leu Arg Leu Gly Ile 885 890 895 tgc cgg ctg ggc tct gcc gcc tgt gag ggt ctt tct gtg gtg ctc cag 2736 Cys Arg Leu Gly Ser Ala Ala Cys Glu Gly Leu Ser Val Val Leu Gln 900 905 910 gcc aac cac aac ctc cgg gag ctg gac ttg agt ttc aac gac ctg gga 2784 Ala Asn His Asn Leu Arg Glu Leu Asp Leu Ser Phe Asn Asp Leu Gly 915 920 925 gac tgg ggc ctg tgg ttg ctg gct gag ggg ctg caa cat ccc gcc tgc 2832 Asp Trp Gly Leu Trp Leu Leu Ala Glu Gly Leu Gln His Pro Ala Cys 930 935 940 aga ctc cag aaa ctg tgg ctg gat agc tgt ggc ctc aca gcc aag gct 2880 Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu Trp Leu Asp Ser Cys Gly Leu Thr Ala Lys Ala 945 950 955 960 tgt gag aat ctt tac ttc acc ctg ggg atc aac cag acc ttg acc gac 2928 Cys Glu Asn Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Gly Ile Asn Gln Thr Leu Thr Asp 965 970 975 ctt tac ctg acc aac aac gcc cta ggg gac aca ggt gtc cga ctg ctt 2976 Leu Tyr Leu Thr Asn Asn Ala Leu Gly Asp Thr Gly Val Arg Leu Leu 980 985 990 tgc aag cgg ctg agc cat cct ggc tgc aaa ctc cga gtc ctc tgg tta 3024 Cys Lys Arg Leu Ser His Pro Gly Cys Lys Leu Arg Val Leu Trp Leu 995 1000 1005 ttt ggg atg gac ctg aat aaa atg acc cac agt agg ttg gca gcg ctt 3072 Phe Gly Met Asp Leu Asn Lys Met Thr His Ser Arg Leu Ala Ala Leu 1010 1015 1020 cga gta aca aaa cct tat ttg gac att ggc tgc tga 3108 Arg Val Thr Lys Pro Tyr Leu Asp Ile Gly Cys 1025 1030 1035 <210> SEQ ID NO 24 <211> LENGTH: 1035 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 24 Met Leu Arg Thr Ala Gly Arg Asp Gly Leu Cys Arg Leu Ser Thr Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Glu Leu Glu Ala Val Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Leu Tyr Leu 20 25 30 Gly Thr Ala Thr Glu Leu Gly Glu Gly Lys Ile Pro Trp Gly Ser Met 35 40 45 Glu Lys Ala Gly Pro Leu Glu Met Ala Gln Leu Leu Ile Thr His Phe 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Glu Ala Trp Arg Leu Ala Leu Ser Thr Phe Glu Arg Ile 65 70 75 80 Asn Arg Lys Asp Leu Trp Glu Arg Gly Gln Arg Glu Asp Leu Val Arg 85 90 95 Asp Pro Gln Glu Thr Tyr Arg Asp Tyr Val Arg Arg Lys Phe Arg Leu 100 105 110 Met Glu Asp Arg Asn Ala Arg Leu Gly Glu Cys Val Asn Leu Ser His 115 120 125 Arg Tyr Thr Arg Leu Leu Leu Val Lys Glu His Ser Asn Pro Met Gln 130 135 140 Val Gln Gln Gln Leu Leu Asp Thr Gly Arg Gly His Ala Arg Thr Val 145 150 155 160 Gly His Gln Ala Ser Pro Ile Lys Ile Glu Thr Leu Phe Glu Pro Asp 165 170 175 Glu Glu Arg Pro Glu Pro Pro Arg Thr Val Val Met Gln Gly Ala Ala 180 185 190 Gly Ile Gly Lys Ser Met Leu Ala His Lys Val Met Leu Asp Trp Ala 195 200 205 Asp Gly Lys Leu Phe Gln Gly Arg Phe Asp Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Ile Asn 210 215 220 Cys Arg Glu Met Asn Gln Ser Ala Thr Glu Cys Ser Met Gln Asp Leu 225 230 235 240 Ile Phe Ser Cys Trp Pro Glu Pro Ser Ala Pro Leu Gln Glu Leu Ile 245 250 255 Arg Val Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Gly Phe Asp Glu Leu 260 265 270 Lys Pro Ser Phe His Asp Pro Gln Gly Pro Trp Cys Leu Cys Trp Glu 275 280 285 Glu Lys Arg Pro Thr Glu Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ile Arg Lys Lys 290 295 300 Leu Leu Pro Glu Leu Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Thr Ala Leu 305 310 315 320 Glu Lys Leu His Arg Leu Leu Glu His Pro Arg His Val Glu Ile Leu 325 330 335 Gly Phe Ser Glu Ala Glu Arg Lys Glu Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Tyr Phe His 340 345 350 Asn Ala Glu Gln Ala Gly Gln Val Phe Asn Tyr Val Arg Asp Asn Glu 355 360 365 Pro Leu Phe Thr Met Cys Phe Val Pro Leu Val Cys Trp Val Val Cys 370 375 380 Thr Cys Leu Gln Gln Gln Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Leu Leu Arg Gln Thr 385 390 395 400 Ser Arg Thr Thr Thr Ala Val Tyr Met Leu Tyr Leu Leu Ser Leu Met 405 410 415 Gln Pro Lys Pro Gly Ala Pro Arg Leu Gln Pro Pro Pro Asn Gln Arg 420 425 430 Gly Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Asp Gly Leu Trp Asn Gln Lys Ile Leu 435 440 445 Phe Glu Glu Gln Asp Leu Arg Lys His Gly Leu Asp Gly Glu Asp Val 450 455 460 Ser Ala Phe Leu Asn Met Asn Ile Phe Gln Lys Asp Ile Asn Cys Glu 465 470 475 480 Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Phe Ile His Leu Ser Phe Gln Glu Phe Phe Ala Ala 485 490 495 Met Tyr Tyr Ile Leu Asp Glu Gly Glu Gly Gly Ala Gly Pro Asp Gln 500 505 510 Asp Val Thr Arg Leu Leu Thr Glu Tyr Ala Phe Ser Glu Arg Ser Phe 515 520 525 Leu Ala Leu Thr Ser Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Leu Asn Glu Glu Thr 530 535 540 Arg Ser His Leu Glu Lys Ser Leu Cys Trp Lys Val Ser Pro His Ile 545 550 555 560 Lys Met Asp Leu Leu Gln Trp Ile Gln Ser Lys Ala Gln Ser Asp Gly 565 570 575 Ser Thr Leu Gln Gln Gly Ser Leu Glu Phe Phe Ser Cys Leu Tyr Glu 580 585 590 Ile Gln Glu Glu Glu Phe Ile Gln Gln Ala Leu Ser His Phe Gln Val 595 600 605 Ile Val Val Ser Asn Ile Ala Ser Lys Met Glu His Met Val Ser Ser 610 615 620 Phe Cys Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ser Ala Gln Val Leu His Leu Tyr Gly 625 630 635 640 Ala Thr Tyr Ser Ala Asp Gly Glu Asp Arg Ala Arg Cys Ser Ala Gly 645 650 655 Ala His Thr Leu Leu Val Gln Leu Arg Pro Glu Arg Thr Val Leu Leu 660 665 670 Asp Ala Tyr Ser Glu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Leu Cys Thr Asn Pro Asn 675 680 685 Leu Ile Glu Leu Ser Leu Tyr Arg Asn Ala Leu Gly Ser Arg Gly Val 690 695 700 Lys Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro Asn Cys Lys Leu Gln Asn 705 710 715 720 Leu Arg Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Ala Cys Glu Asp Leu 725 730 735 Ser Ala Ala Leu Ile Ala Asn Lys Asn Leu Thr Arg Met Asp Leu Ser 740 745 750 Gly Asn Gly Val Gly Phe Pro Gly Met Met Leu Leu Cys Glu Gly Leu 755 760 765 Arg His Pro Gln Cys Arg Leu Gln Met Ile Gln Leu Arg Lys Cys Gln 770 775 780 Leu Glu Ser Gly Ala Cys Gln Glu Met Ala Ser Val Leu Gly Thr Asn 785 790 795 800 Pro His Leu Val Glu Leu Asp Leu Thr Gly Asn Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu 805 810 815 Gly Leu Arg Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro Val Cys Arg Leu 820 825 830 Arg Thr Leu Trp Leu Lys Ile Cys Arg Leu Thr Ala Ala Ala Cys Asp 835 840 845 Glu Leu Ala Ser Thr Leu Ser Val Asn Gln Ser Leu Arg Glu Leu Asp 850 855 860 Leu Ser Leu Asn Glu Leu Gly Asp Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Cys Glu 865 870 875 880 Gly Leu Arg His Pro Thr Cys Lys Leu Gln Thr Leu Arg Leu Gly Ile 885 890 895 Cys Arg Leu Gly Ser Ala Ala Cys Glu Gly Leu Ser Val Val Leu Gln 900 905 910 Ala Asn His Asn Leu Arg Glu Leu Asp Leu Ser Phe Asn Asp Leu Gly 915 920 925 Asp Trp Gly Leu Trp Leu Leu Ala Glu Gly Leu Gln His Pro Ala Cys 930 935 940 Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu Trp Leu Asp Ser Cys Gly Leu Thr Ala Lys Ala 945 950 955 960 Cys Glu Asn Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Gly Ile Asn Gln Thr Leu Thr Asp 965 970 975 Leu Tyr Leu Thr Asn Asn Ala Leu Gly Asp Thr Gly Val Arg Leu Leu 980 985 990 Cys Lys Arg Leu Ser His Pro Gly Cys Lys Leu Arg Val Leu Trp Leu 995 1000 1005 Phe Gly Met Asp Leu Asn Lys Met Thr His Ser Arg Leu Ala Ala Leu 1010 1015 1020 Arg Val Thr Lys Pro Tyr Leu Asp Ile Gly Cys 1025 1030 1035 <210> SEQ ID NO 25 <211> LENGTH: 243 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(243) <400> SEQUENCE: 25 atg gca agc acc cgc tgc aag ctg gcc agg tac ctg gag gac ctg gag 48 Met Ala Ser Thr Arg Cys Lys Leu Ala Arg Tyr Leu Glu Asp Leu Glu 1 5 10 15 gat gtg gac ttg aag aaa ttt aag atg cac tta gag gac tat cct ccc 96 Asp Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met His Leu Glu Asp Tyr Pro Pro 20 25 30 cag aag ggc tgc atc ccc ctc ccg agg ggt cag aca gag aag gca gac 144 Gln Lys Gly Cys Ile Pro Leu Pro Arg Gly Gln Thr Glu Lys Ala Asp 35 40 45 cat gtg gat cta gcc acg cta atg atc gac ttc aat ggg gag gag aag 192 His Val Asp Leu Ala Thr Leu Met Ile Asp Phe Asn Gly Glu Glu Lys 50 55 60 gcg tgg gcc atg gtc gtg tgg atc ttc gct gcg atc aac agg aga gac 240 Ala Trp Ala Met Val Val Trp Ile Phe Ala Ala Ile Asn Arg Arg Asp 65 70 75 80 ctt 243 Leu <210> SEQ ID NO 26 <211> LENGTH: 81 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 26 Met Ala Ser Thr Arg Cys Lys Leu Ala Arg Tyr Leu Glu Asp Leu Glu 1 5 10 15 Asp Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met His Leu Glu Asp Tyr Pro Pro 20 25 30 Gln Lys Gly Cys Ile Pro Leu Pro Arg Gly Gln Thr Glu Lys Ala Asp 35 40 45 His Val Asp Leu Ala Thr Leu Met Ile Asp Phe Asn Gly Glu Glu Lys 50 55 60 Ala Trp Ala Met Val Val Trp Ile Phe Ala Ala Ile Asn Arg Arg Asp 65 70 75 80 Leu <210> SEQ ID NO 27 <211> LENGTH: 270 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (1)...(267) <400> SEQUENCE: 27 atg gga acg aag cgc gag gcc atc ctg aag gtg ctg gag aac ctg aca 48 Met Gly Thr Lys Arg Glu Ala Ile Leu Lys Val Leu Glu Asn Leu Thr 1 5 10 15 ccg gag gag ctc aag aag ttc aag atg aag ctg ggg acg gtg ccg ctg 96 Pro Glu Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met Lys Leu Gly Thr Val Pro Leu 20 25 30 cgc gag ggc ttt gag cgc atc ccg cgg ggc gcg ctc ggg cag cta gat 144 Arg Glu Gly Phe Glu Arg Ile Pro Arg Gly Ala Leu Gly Gln Leu Asp 35 40 45 atc gtg gac ctc acc gac aag ctg gtc gcc tcc tac tac gag gac tac 192 Ile Val Asp Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu Val Ala Ser Tyr Tyr Glu Asp Tyr 50 55 60 gca gcc gag ctc gtc gtg gcc gtg ctg cgc gac atg cgc atg ttg gag 240 Ala Ala Glu Leu Val Val Ala Val Leu Arg Asp Met Arg Met Leu Glu 65 70 75 80 gag gcc gca cgg ctg cag cgg gct gcg tga 270 Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu Gln Arg Ala Ala 85 <210> SEQ ID NO 28 <211> LENGTH: 89 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <400> SEQUENCE: 28 Met Gly Thr Lys Arg Glu Ala Ile Leu Lys Val Leu Glu Asn Leu Thr 1 5 10 15 Pro Glu Glu Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met Lys Leu Gly Thr Val Pro Leu 20 25 30 Arg Glu Gly Phe Glu Arg Ile Pro Arg Gly Ala Leu Gly Gln Leu Asp 35 40 45 Ile Val Asp Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu Val Ala Ser Tyr Tyr Glu Asp Tyr 50 55 60 Ala Ala Glu Leu Val Val Ala Val Leu Arg Asp Met Arg Met Leu Glu 65 70 75 80 Glu Ala Ala Arg Leu Gln Arg Ala Ala 85 <210> SEQ ID NO 29 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 29 Lys Phe Lys Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 30 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 30 Lys Leu Lys Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 31 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 31 Arg Phe Arg Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 32 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 32 Arg Phe Lys Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 33 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 33 Lys Phe Arg Xaa Xaa Leu 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 34 <211> LENGTH: 6 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapien <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: (4)...(5) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa=any amino acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 4, 5 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 34 Lys Phe Lys Xaa Xaa Ile 1 5 <210> SEQ ID NO 35 <211> LENGTH: 39 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 35 ccggaattca ccatggcagc ctctttcttc tctgatttt 39 <210> SEQ ID NO 36 <211> LENGTH: 41 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 36 ccgctcgagt cacgtagagc tgtgttcatc ctctttctta a 41 <210> SEQ ID NO 37 <211> LENGTH: 319 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 37 Gln Pro Arg Thr Val Ile Ile Gln Gly Pro Gln Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr 1 5 10 15 Thr Leu Leu Met Lys Leu Met Met Ala Trp Ser Asp Asn Lys Ile Phe 20 25 30 Arg Asp Arg Phe Leu Tyr Thr Phe Tyr Phe Cys Cys Arg Glu Leu Arg 35 40 45 Glu Leu Pro Pro Thr Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Ser Arg Glu Trp Pro 50 55 60 Asp Pro Ala Ala Pro Ile Thr Glu Ile Val Ser Gln Pro Glu Arg Leu 65 70 75 80 Leu Phe Val Ile Asp Ser Phe Glu Glu Leu Gln Gly Gly Leu Asn Glu 85 90 95 Pro Asp Ser Asp Leu Cys Gly Asp Leu Met Glu Lys Arg Pro Val Gln 100 105 110 Val Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Leu Arg Lys Lys Met Leu Pro Glu Ala Ser 115 120 125 Leu Leu Ile Ala Ile Lys Pro Val Cys Pro Lys Glu Leu Arg Asp Gln 130 135 140 Val Thr Ile Ser Glu Ile Tyr Gln Pro Arg Gly Phe Asn Glu Ser Asp 145 150 155 160 Arg Leu Val Tyr Phe Cys Cys Phe Phe Lys Asp Pro Lys Arg Ala Met 165 170 175 Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Glu Gln Leu Phe Ser Ile Cys 180 185 190 Gln Ile Pro Leu Leu Cys Trp Ile Leu Cys Thr Ser Leu Lys Gln Glu 195 200 205 Met Gln Lys Gly Lys Asp Leu Ala Leu Thr Cys Gln Ser Thr Thr Ser 210 215 220 Val Tyr Ser Ser Phe Val Phe Asn Leu Phe Thr Pro Glu Gly Ala Glu 225 230 235 240 Gly Pro Thr Pro Gln Thr Gln His Gln Leu Lys Ala Leu Cys Ser Leu 245 250 255 Ala Ala Glu Gly Met Trp Thr Asp Thr Phe Glu Phe Cys Glu Asp Asp 260 265 270 Leu Arg Arg Asn Gly Val Val Asp Ala Asp Ile Pro Ala Leu Leu Gly 275 280 285 Thr Lys Ile Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Glu Arg Glu Ser Ser Tyr Val Phe 290 295 300 Leu His Val Cys Ile Gln Glu Phe Cys Ala Ala Leu Phe Tyr Leu 305 310 315 <210> SEQ ID NO 38 <211> LENGTH: 270 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 38 Ser Ile Cys Gln Ile Pro Leu Leu Cys Trp Ile Leu Cys Thr Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Lys Gln Glu Met Gln Lys Gly Lys Asp Leu Ala Leu Thr Cys Gln Ser 20 25 30 Thr Thr Ser Val Tyr Ser Ser Phe Val Phe Asn Leu Phe Thr Pro Glu 35 40 45 Gly Ala Glu Gly Pro Thr Pro Gln Thr Gln His Gln Leu Lys Ala Leu 50 55 60 Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Glu Gly Met Trp Thr Asp Thr Phe Glu Phe Cys 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Asp Leu Arg Arg Asn Gly Val Val Asp Ala Asp Ile Pro Ala 85 90 95 Leu Leu Gly Thr Lys Ile Leu Leu Lys Tyr Gly Glu Arg Glu Ser Ser 100 105 110 Tyr Val Phe Leu His Val Cys Ile Gln Glu Phe Cys Ala Ala Leu Phe 115 120 125 Tyr Leu Leu Lys Ser His Leu Asp His Pro His Pro Ala Val Arg Cys 130 135 140 Val Gln Glu Leu Leu Val Ala Asn Phe Glu Lys Ala Arg Arg Ala His 145 150 155 160 Trp Ile Phe Leu Gly Cys Phe Leu Thr Gly Leu Leu Asn Lys Lys Glu 165 170 175 Gln Glu Lys Leu Asp Ala Phe Phe Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Gln Glu Ile 180 185 190 Lys Gln Gln Ile His Gln Cys Leu Lys Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Gly Asn 195 200 205 Pro Gln Gly Gln Val Asp Ser Leu Ala Ile Phe Tyr Cys Leu Phe Glu 210 215 220 Met Gln Asp Pro Ala Phe Val Lys Gln Ala Val Asn Leu Leu Gln Glu 225 230 235 240 Ala Asn Phe His Ile Ile Asp Asn Val Asp Leu Val Val Ser Ala Tyr 245 250 255 Cys Leu Lys Tyr Cys Ser Ser Leu Arg Lys Leu Cys Phe Ser 260 265 270 <210> SEQ ID NO 39 <211> LENGTH: 375 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 39 Ser Asp Tyr Ser Leu Ile Cys Trp His His Ile Cys Ser Val Leu Thr 1 5 10 15 Thr Ser Gly His Leu Arg Glu Leu Gln Val Gln Asp Ser Thr Leu Ser 20 25 30 Glu Ser Thr Phe Val Thr Trp Cys Asn Gln Leu Arg His Pro Ser Cys 35 40 45 Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu Gly Ile Asn Asn Val Ser Phe Ser Gly Gln Ser 50 55 60 Val Leu Leu Phe Glu Val Leu Phe Tyr Gln Pro Asp Leu Lys Tyr Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Phe Thr Leu Thr Lys Leu Ser Arg Asp Asp Ile Arg Ser Leu Cys 85 90 95 Asp Ala Leu Asn Tyr Pro Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Glu Leu Ala Leu Val 100 105 110 Asn Cys His Leu Ser Pro Ile Asp Cys Glu Val Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu 115 120 125 Thr Asn Asn Lys Lys Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Val Ser Cys Asn Gln Leu 130 135 140 Asp Thr Gly Val Pro Leu Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Cys Ser Pro Asp Thr 145 150 155 160 Val Leu Val Tyr Leu Met Leu Ala Phe Cys His Leu Ser Glu Gln Cys 165 170 175 Cys Glu Tyr Ile Ser Glu Met Leu Leu Arg Asn Lys Ser Val Arg Tyr 180 185 190 Leu Asp Leu Ser Ala Asn Val Leu Lys Asp Glu Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu 195 200 205 Cys Glu Ala Leu Lys His Pro Asp Cys Cys Leu Asp Ser Leu Cys Leu 210 215 220 Val Lys Cys Phe Ile Thr Ala Ala Gly Cys Glu Asp Leu Ala Ser Ala 225 230 235 240 Leu Ile Ser Asn Gln Asn Leu Lys Ile Leu Gln Ile Gly Cys Asn Glu 245 250 255 Ile Gly Asp Val Gly Val Gln Leu Leu Cys Arg Ala Leu Thr His Thr 260 265 270 Asp Cys Arg Leu Glu Ile Leu Gly Leu Glu Glu Cys Gly Leu Thr Ser 275 280 285 Thr Cys Cys Lys Asp Leu Ala Ser Val Leu Thr Cys Ser Lys Thr Leu 290 295 300 Gln Gln Leu Asn Leu Thr Leu Asn Thr Leu Asp His Thr Gly Val Val 305 310 315 320 Val Leu Cys Glu Ala Leu Arg His Pro Glu Cys Ala Leu Gln Val Leu 325 330 335 Gly Leu Arg Lys Thr Asp Phe Asp Glu Glu Thr Gln Ala Leu Leu Thr 340 345 350 Ala Glu Glu Glu Arg Asn Pro Asn Leu Thr Ile Thr Asp Asp Cys Asp 355 360 365 Thr Ile Thr Arg Val Glu Ile 370 375 <210> SEQ ID NO 40 <211> LENGTH: 38 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 40 cctctcgagt cagatctcta cccttgtgat tgtgtcac 38 <210> SEQ ID NO 41 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 41 gaattcgatc ctggagccat gggg 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 42 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 42 ctcgagccgg agtgttgctg ggaa 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 43 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 43 gaattcgatc ctggagccat gggg 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 44 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 44 ctcgagtcag cttggctgcc gact 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 45 <211> LENGTH: 31 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 45 ccccctcgag ggcctggctt ggctgccgac t 31 <210> SEQ ID NO 46 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 46 gaattccctc agtcggcagc caag 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 47 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 47 ctcgagccgg agtgttgctg ggaa 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 48 <211> LENGTH: 22 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 48 gaattcgagg cgcagggctg tg 22 <210> SEQ ID NO 49 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 49 ctcgaggctt cacaggcgtt gcat 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 50 <211> LENGTH: 24 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 50 ctcgaggcta cacaggcgtt gcat 24 <210> SEQ ID NO 51 <211> LENGTH: 30 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 51 gaattcctct gggccttgag tgaccttgag 30 <210> SEQ ID NO 52 <211> LENGTH: 29 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 52 ccagccgacc tcgagcagtc aaatatggc 29 <210> SEQ ID NO 53 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 53 ttgctcgagt catctgaata c 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 54 <211> LENGTH: 25 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 54 atggccatgg ccaaggccag aaagc 25 <210> SEQ ID NO 55 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 55 ttgctcgagt catctgaata c 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 56 <211> LENGTH: 31 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 56 gacggatcct gtggcatggc cacctacttg g 31 <210> SEQ ID NO 57 <211> LENGTH: 29 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: synthetic primer <400> SEQUENCE: 57 atccctcacg aattcccctc actgtcctc 29 <210> SEQ ID NO 58 <211> LENGTH: 2524 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: CDS <222> LOCATION: (176)...(2332) <221> NAME/KEY: misc_feature <222> LOCATION: (306)...(458) <223> OTHER INFORMATION: n = A,T,C or G <400> SEQUENCE: 58 ttaaagattt tgacttgtta cagtcatgtg acattttttt ctttctgttt gctgagtttt 60 tgataattta tatctctcaa agtggagact ttaaaaaaga ctcatccgtg tgccgtgttc 120 actgcctggt atcttagtgt ggaccgaagc ctaaggaccc tgaaaacagc tgcag atg 178 Met 1 aag atg gca agc acc cgc tgc aag ctg gcc agg tac ctg gag gac ctg 226 Lys Met Ala Ser Thr Arg Cys Lys Leu Ala Arg Tyr Leu Glu Asp Leu 5 10 15 gag gat gtg gac ttg aag aaa ttt aag atg cac tta gag gac tat cct 274 Glu Asp Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met His Leu Glu Asp Tyr Pro 20 25 30 ccc cag aag ggc tgc atc ccc ctc ccg agg gnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn 322 Pro Gln Lys Gly Cys Ile Pro Leu Pro Arg Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 35 40 45 nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn 370 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 50 55 60 65 nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn 418 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 70 75 80 nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn ngt tca gat 466 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Ser Asp 85 90 95 aat gca cgt gtt tcg aat ccc act gtg ata tgc cag gaa gac agc att 514 Asn Ala Arg Val Ser Asn Pro Thr Val Ile Cys Gln Glu Asp Ser Ile 100 105 110 gaa gag gag tgg atg ggt tta ctg gag tac ctt tcg aga atc tct att 562 Glu Glu Glu Trp Met Gly Leu Leu Glu Tyr Leu Ser Arg Ile Ser Ile 115 120 125 tgt aaa atg aag aaa gat tac cgt aag aag tac aga aag tac gtg aga 610 Cys Lys Met Lys Lys Asp Tyr Arg Lys Lys Tyr Arg Lys Tyr Val Arg 130 135 140 145 agc aga ttc cag tgc att gaa gac agg aat gcc cgt ctg ggt gag agt 658 Ser Arg Phe Gln Cys Ile Glu Asp Arg Asn Ala Arg Leu Gly Glu Ser 150 155 160 gtg agc ctc aac aaa cgc tac aca cga ctg cgt ctc atc aag gag cac 706 Val Ser Leu Asn Lys Arg Tyr Thr Arg Leu Arg Leu Ile Lys Glu His 165 170 175 cgg agc cag cag gag agg gag cag gag ctt ctg gcc atc ggc aag acc 754 Arg Ser Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Glu Leu Leu Ala Ile Gly Lys Thr 180 185 190 aag acg tgt gag agc ccc gtg agt ccc att aag atg gag ttg ctg ttt 802 Lys Thr Cys Glu Ser Pro Val Ser Pro Ile Lys Met Glu Leu Leu Phe 195 200 205 gac ccc gat gat gag cat tct gag cct gtg cac acc gtg gtg ttc cag 850 Asp Pro Asp Asp Glu His Ser Glu Pro Val His Thr Val Val Phe Gln 210 215 220 225 ggg gcg gca ggg att ggg aaa aca atc ctg gcc agg aag atg atg ttg 898 Gly Ala Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr Ile Leu Ala Arg Lys Met Met Leu 230 235 240 gac tgg gcg tcg ggg aca ctc tac caa gac agg ttt gac tat ctg ttc 946 Asp Trp Ala Ser Gly Thr Leu Tyr Gln Asp Arg Phe Asp Tyr Leu Phe 245 250 255 tat atc cac tgt cga gag gtg agc ctt gtg aca cag agg agc ctg ggg 994 Tyr Ile His Cys Arg Glu Val Ser Leu Val Thr Gln Arg Ser Leu Gly 260 265 270 gac ctg atc atg agc tgc tgc ccc gac cca aac cca ccc atc cac aag 1042 Asp Leu Ile Met Ser Cys Cys Pro Asp Pro Asn Pro Pro Ile His Lys 275 280 285 atc gtg aga aaa ccc tcc aga atc ctc ttc ctc atg gac ggc ttc gat 1090 Ile Val Arg Lys Pro Ser Arg Ile Leu Phe Leu Met Asp Gly Phe Asp 290 295 300 305 gag ctg caa ggt gcc ttt gac gag cac ata gga ccg ctc tgc act gac 1138 Glu Leu Gln Gly Ala Phe Asp Glu His Ile Gly Pro Leu Cys Thr Asp 310 315 320 tgg cag aag gcc gag cgg gga gac att ctc ctg agc agc ctc atc aga 1186 Trp Gln Lys Ala Glu Arg Gly Asp Ile Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Ile Arg 325 330 335 aag aag ctg ctt ccc gag gcc tct ctg ctc atc acc acg aga cct gtg 1234 Lys Lys Leu Leu Pro Glu Ala Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Val 340 345 350 gcc ctg gag aaa ctg cag cac ttg ctg gac cat cct cgg cat gtg gag 1282 Ala Leu Glu Lys Leu Gln His Leu Leu Asp His Pro Arg His Val Glu 355 360 365 atc ctg ggt ttc tcc gag gcc aaa agg aaa gag tac ttc ttc aag tac 1330 Ile Leu Gly Phe Ser Glu Ala Lys Arg Lys Glu Tyr Phe Phe Lys Tyr 370 375 380 385 ttc tct gat gag gcc caa gcc agg gca gcc ttc agt ctg att cag gag 1378 Phe Ser Asp Glu Ala Gln Ala Arg Ala Ala Phe Ser Leu Ile Gln Glu 390 395 400 aac gag gtc ctc ttc acc atg tgc ttc atc ccc ctg gtc tgc tgg atc 1426 Asn Glu Val Leu Phe Thr Met Cys Phe Ile Pro Leu Val Cys Trp Ile 405 410 415 gtg tgc act gga ctg aaa cag cag atg gag agt ggc aag agc ctt gcc 1474 Val Cys Thr Gly Leu Lys Gln Gln Met Glu Ser Gly Lys Ser Leu Ala 420 425 430 cag aca tcc aag acc acc acc gcg gtg tac gtc ttc ttc ctt tcc agt 1522 Gln Thr Ser Lys Thr Thr Thr Ala Val Tyr Val Phe Phe Leu Ser Ser 435 440 445 ttg ctg cag ccc cgg gga ggg agc cag gag cac ggc ctc tgc gcc cac 1570 Leu Leu Gln Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Gln Glu His Gly Leu Cys Ala His 450 455 460 465 ctc tgg ggg ctc tgc tct ttg gct gca gat gga atc tgg aac cag aaa 1618 Leu Trp Gly Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Asp Gly Ile Trp Asn Gln Lys 470 475 480 atc ctg ttt gag gag tcc gac ctc agg aat cat gga ctg cag aag gcg 1666 Ile Leu Phe Glu Glu Ser Asp Leu Arg Asn His Gly Leu Gln Lys Ala 485 490 495 gat gtg tct gct ttc ctg agg atg aac ctg ttc caa aag gaa gtg gac 1714 Asp Val Ser Ala Phe Leu Arg Met Asn Leu Phe Gln Lys Glu Val Asp 500 505 510 tgc gag aag ttc tac agc ttc atc cac atg act ttc cag gag ttc ttt 1762 Cys Glu Lys Phe Tyr Ser Phe Ile His Met Thr Phe Gln Glu Phe Phe 515 520 525 gcc gcc atg tac tac ctg ctg gaa gag gaa aag gaa gga agg acg aac 1810 Ala Ala Met Tyr Tyr Leu Leu Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Gly Arg Thr Asn 530 535 540 545 gtt cca ggg agt cgt ttg aag ctt ccc agc cga gac gtg aca gtc ctt 1858 Val Pro Gly Ser Arg Leu Lys Leu Pro Ser Arg Asp Val Thr Val Leu 550 555 560 ctg gaa aac tat ggc aaa ttc gaa aag ggg tat ttg att ttt gtt gta 1906 Leu Glu Asn Tyr Gly Lys Phe Glu Lys Gly Tyr Leu Ile Phe Val Val 565 570 575 cgt ttc ctc ttt ggc ctg gta aac cag gag agg acc tcc tac ttg gag 1954 Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Gln Glu Arg Thr Ser Tyr Leu Glu 580 585 590 aag aaa tta agt tgc aag atc tct cag caa atc agg ctg gag ctg ctg 2002 Lys Lys Leu Ser Cys Lys Ile Ser Gln Gln Ile Arg Leu Glu Leu Leu 595 600 605 aaa tgg att gaa gtg aaa gcc aaa gct aaa aag ctg cag atc cag ccc 2050 Lys Trp Ile Glu Val Lys Ala Lys Ala Lys Lys Leu Gln Ile Gln Pro 610 615 620 625 agc cag ctg gaa ttg ttc tac tgt ttg tac gag atg cag gag gag gac 2098 Ser Gln Leu Glu Leu Phe Tyr Cys Leu Tyr Glu Met Gln Glu Glu Asp 630 635 640 ttc gtg caa agg gcc atg gac tat ttc ccc aag att gag atc aat ctc 2146 Phe Val Gln Arg Ala Met Asp Tyr Phe Pro Lys Ile Glu Ile Asn Leu 645 650 655 tcc acc aga atg gac cac atg gtt tct tcc ttt tgc att gag aac tgt 2194 Ser Thr Arg Met Asp His Met Val Ser Ser Phe Cys Ile Glu Asn Cys 660 665 670 cat cgg gtg gag tca ctg tcc ctg ggg ttt ctc cat aac atg ccc aag 2242 His Arg Val Glu Ser Leu Ser Leu Gly Phe Leu His Asn Met Pro Lys 675 680 685 gag gaa gag gag gag gaa aag gaa ggc cga cac ctt gat atg gtg cag 2290 Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Gly Arg His Leu Asp Met Val Gln 690 695 700 705 tgt gtc ctc cca agc tcc tct cat gct gcc tgt tct cat ggg 2332 Cys Val Leu Pro Ser Ser Ser His Ala Ala Cys Ser His Gly 710 715 taaggaaact cggcttccag gtgcttcctc ctgcttcctc gccagcttct tcttggcgct 2392 tgcctcctct catctctttt caactatctt ccaaatactg ttgccacagc tacatcataa 2452 tgccaccact gtctgtttga gactccttca tgagcaaaga ttgatgtatg gtaggtggat 2512 aaatgggatg ag 2524 <210> SEQ ID NO 59 <211> LENGTH: 719 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <220> FEATURE: <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <221> NAME/KEY: VARIANT <222> LOCATION: 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa = Any Amino Acid <400> SEQUENCE: 59 Met Lys Met Ala Ser Thr Arg Cys Lys Leu Ala Arg Tyr Leu Glu Asp 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Asp Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Phe Lys Met His Leu Glu Asp Tyr 20 25 30 Pro Pro Gln Lys Gly Cys Ile Pro Leu Pro Arg Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 35 40 45 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 50 55 60 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 65 70 75 80 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Ser 85 90 95 Asp Asn Ala Arg Val Ser Asn Pro Thr Val Ile Cys Gln Glu Asp Ser 100 105 110 Ile Glu Glu Glu Trp Met Gly Leu Leu Glu Tyr Leu Ser Arg Ile Ser 115 120 125 Ile Cys Lys Met Lys Lys Asp Tyr Arg Lys Lys Tyr Arg Lys Tyr Val 130 135 140 Arg Ser Arg Phe Gln Cys Ile Glu Asp Arg Asn Ala Arg Leu Gly Glu 145 150 155 160 Ser Val Ser Leu Asn Lys Arg Tyr Thr Arg Leu Arg Leu Ile Lys Glu 165 170 175 His Arg Ser Gln Gln Glu Arg Glu Gln Glu Leu Leu Ala Ile Gly Lys 180 185 190 Thr Lys Thr Cys Glu Ser Pro Val Ser Pro Ile Lys Met Glu Leu Leu 195 200 205 Phe Asp Pro Asp Asp Glu His Ser Glu Pro Val His Thr Val Val Phe 210 215 220 Gln Gly Ala Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr Ile Leu Ala Arg Lys Met Met 225 230 235 240 Leu Asp Trp Ala Ser Gly Thr Leu Tyr Gln Asp Arg Phe Asp Tyr Leu 245 250 255 Phe Tyr Ile His Cys Arg Glu Val Ser Leu Val Thr Gln Arg Ser Leu 260 265 270 Gly Asp Leu Ile Met Ser Cys Cys Pro Asp Pro Asn Pro Pro Ile His 275 280 285 Lys Ile Val Arg Lys Pro Ser Arg Ile Leu Phe Leu Met Asp Gly Phe 290 295 300 Asp Glu Leu Gln Gly Ala Phe Asp Glu His Ile Gly Pro Leu Cys Thr 305 310 315 320 Asp Trp Gln Lys Ala Glu Arg Gly Asp Ile Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Ile 325 330 335 Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Pro Glu Ala Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro 340 345 350 Val Ala Leu Glu Lys Leu Gln His Leu Leu Asp His Pro Arg His Val 355 360 365 Glu Ile Leu Gly Phe Ser Glu Ala Lys Arg Lys Glu Tyr Phe Phe Lys 370 375 380 Tyr Phe Ser Asp Glu Ala Gln Ala Arg Ala Ala Phe Ser Leu Ile Gln 385 390 395 400 Glu Asn Glu Val Leu Phe Thr Met Cys Phe Ile Pro Leu Val Cys Trp 405 410 415 Ile Val Cys Thr Gly Leu Lys Gln Gln Met Glu Ser Gly Lys Ser Leu 420 425 430 Ala Gln Thr Ser Lys Thr Thr Thr Ala Val Tyr Val Phe Phe Leu Ser 435 440 445 Ser Leu Leu Gln Pro Arg Gly Gly Ser Gln Glu His Gly Leu Cys Ala 450 455 460 His Leu Trp Gly Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Asp Gly Ile Trp Asn Gln 465 470 475 480 Lys Ile Leu Phe Glu Glu Ser Asp Leu Arg Asn His Gly Leu Gln Lys 485 490 495 Ala Asp Val Ser Ala Phe Leu Arg Met Asn Leu Phe Gln Lys Glu Val 500 505 510 Asp Cys Glu Lys Phe Tyr Ser Phe Ile His Met Thr Phe Gln Glu Phe 515 520 525 Phe Ala Ala Met Tyr Tyr Leu Leu Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Gly Arg Thr 530 535 540 Asn Val Pro Gly Ser Arg Leu Lys Leu Pro Ser Arg Asp Val Thr Val 545 550 555 560 Leu Leu Glu Asn Tyr Gly Lys Phe Glu Lys Gly Tyr Leu Ile Phe Val 565 570 575 Val Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Gln Glu Arg Thr Ser Tyr Leu 580 585 590 Glu Lys Lys Leu Ser Cys Lys Ile Ser Gln Gln Ile Arg Leu Glu Leu 595 600 605 Leu Lys Trp Ile Glu Val Lys Ala Lys Ala Lys Lys Leu Gln Ile Gln 610 615 620 Pro Ser Gln Leu Glu Leu Phe Tyr Cys Leu Tyr Glu Met Gln Glu Glu 625 630 635 640 Asp Phe Val Gln Arg Ala Met Asp Tyr Phe Pro Lys Ile Glu Ile Asn 645 650 655 Leu Ser Thr Arg Met Asp His Met Val Ser Ser Phe Cys Ile Glu Asn 660 665 670 Cys His Arg Val Glu Ser Leu Ser Leu Gly Phe Leu His Asn Met Pro 675 680 685 Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Gly Arg His Leu Asp Met Val 690 695 700 Gln Cys Val Leu Pro Ser Ser Ser His Ala Ala Cys Ser His Gly 705 710 715 <210> SEQ ID NO 60 <211> LENGTH: 317 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 60 Leu Thr Val Val Leu Gln Gly Pro Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys Thr Met Ala 1 5 10 15 Ala Lys Lys Ile Leu Tyr Asp Trp Ala Ala Gly Lys Leu Tyr Gln Gly 20 25 30 Gln Val Asp Phe Ala Phe Phe Met Pro Cys Gly Glu Leu Leu Glu Arg 35 40 45 Pro Gly Thr Arg Ser Leu Ala Asp Leu Ile Leu Asp Gln Cys Pro Asp 50 55 60 Arg Gly Ala Pro Val Pro Gln Met Leu Ala Gln Pro Gln Arg Leu Leu 65 70 75 80 Phe Ile Leu Asp Gly Ala Asp Glu Leu Pro Ala Leu Gly Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 Ala Ala Pro Cys Thr Asp Pro Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Gly Ala Arg Val 100 105 110 Leu Gly Gly Leu Leu Ser Lys Ala Leu Leu Pro Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu 115 120 125 Val Thr Thr Arg Ala Ala Ala Pro Gly Arg Leu Gln Gly Arg Leu Cys 130 135 140 Ser Pro Gln Cys Ala Glu Val Arg Gly Phe Ser Asp Lys Asp Lys Lys 145 150 155 160 Lys Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Phe Phe Arg Asp Glu Arg Arg Ala Glu Arg Ala 165 170 175 Tyr Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Asn Glu Thr Leu Phe Ala Leu Cys Phe Val 180 185 190 Pro Phe Val Cys Trp Ile Val Cys Thr Val Leu Arg Gln Gln Leu Glu 195 200 205 Leu Gly Arg Asp Leu Ser Arg Thr Ser Lys Thr Thr Thr Ser Val Tyr 210 215 220 Leu Leu Phe Ile Thr Ser Val Leu Ser Ser Ala Pro Val Ala Asp Gly 225 230 235 240 Pro Arg Leu Gln Gly Asp Leu Arg Asn Leu Cys Arg Leu Ala Arg Glu 245 250 255 Gly Val Leu Gly Arg Arg Ala Gln Phe Ala Glu Lys Glu Leu Glu Gln 260 265 270 Leu Glu Leu Arg Gly Ser Lys Val Gln Thr Leu Phe Leu Ser Lys Lys 275 280 285 Glu Leu Pro Gly Val Leu Glu Thr Glu Val Thr Tyr Gln Phe Ile Asp 290 295 300 Gln Ser Phe Gln Glu Phe Leu Ala Ala Leu Ser Tyr Leu 305 310 315 <210> SEQ ID NO 61 <211> LENGTH: 290 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 61 Val Leu Ser Tyr Cys Val Arg Cys Cys Pro Ala Gly Gln Ala Leu Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu Ile Ser Cys Arg Leu Val Ala Ala Gln Glu Lys Lys Lys Lys Ser 20 25 30 Leu Gly Lys Arg Leu Gln Ala Ser Leu Gly Gly Gly Ser Trp Leu Gly 35 40 45 Thr Gln Leu Ala Pro Glu Val Pro Phe Arg Pro Pro Cys Cys Asp Ile 50 55 60 Cys Pro Thr Pro Pro Pro Asp Pro Arg Leu Leu Gln Gly Lys Ala Phe 65 70 75 80 Ala Arg Val Pro Leu Asn Ile Ala Pro Ile Gln Pro Leu Pro Arg Gly 85 90 95 Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Arg Met Asn Val Thr Val Leu Ala Gly Ala Gly 100 105 110 Pro Gly Asp Pro Lys Thr His Ala Met Thr Asp Pro Leu Cys His Leu 115 120 125 Ser Ser Leu Thr Leu Ser His Cys Lys Leu Pro Asp Ala Val Cys Arg 130 135 140 Asp Leu Ser Glu Ala Leu Arg Ala Ala Pro Ala Leu Thr Glu Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 Leu Leu His Asn Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala Gly Leu Arg Met Leu Ser Glu 165 170 175 Gly Leu Ala Trp Pro Gln Cys Arg Val Gln Thr Val Arg Val Gln Leu 180 185 190 Pro Asp Pro Gln Arg Gly Leu Gln Tyr Leu Val Gly Met Leu Arg Gln 195 200 205 Ser Pro Ala Leu Thr Thr Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Cys Gln Leu Pro Ala 210 215 220 Pro Met Val Thr Tyr Leu Cys Ala Val Leu Gln His Gln Gly Cys Gly 225 230 235 240 Leu Gln Thr Leu Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Ser Leu 245 250 255 Gln Glu Leu Gln Ala Val Lys Arg Ala Lys Pro Asp Leu Val Ile Thr 260 265 270 His Pro Ala Leu Asp Gly His Pro Gln Pro Pro Lys Glu Leu Ile Ser 275 280 285 Thr Phe 290 <210> SEQ ID NO 62 <211> LENGTH: 181 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 62 Ile Cys Leu His Gly Val Gly Trp His Trp Lys Asp Asn Ser Arg Gln 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Val Leu Asp Trp Ala Thr Gly Thr Leu Tyr Pro Gly Arg Phe 20 25 30 Asp Tyr Val Phe Tyr Val Ser Cys Lys Glu Val Val Leu Leu Leu Glu 35 40 45 Ser Lys Leu Glu Gln Leu Leu Phe Trp Cys Cys Gly Asp Asn Gln Ala 50 55 60 Pro Val Thr Glu Ile Leu Arg Gln Pro Glu Arg Leu Leu Phe Ile Leu 65 70 75 80 Asp Gly Phe Asp Glu Leu Gln Arg Pro Phe Glu Glu Lys Leu Lys Lys 85 90 95 Arg Gly Leu Ser Pro Lys Glu Ser Leu Leu His Leu Leu Ile Arg Arg 100 105 110 His Thr Leu Pro Thr Cys Ser Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Leu Ala 115 120 125 Leu Arg Asn Leu Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Gln Ala Arg His Val His Ile 130 135 140 Leu Gly Phe Ser Glu Glu Glu Arg Ala Arg Tyr Phe Ser Ser Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Thr Asp Glu Lys Gln Ala Asp Arg Ala Phe Asp Ile Val Gln Lys Asn 165 170 175 Asp Ile Leu Tyr Lys 180 <210> SEQ ID NO 63 <211> LENGTH: 190 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 63 Pro Arg Thr Val Val Met Gln Gly Ala Ala Gly Ile Gly Lys Ser Met 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala His Lys Val Met Leu Asp Trp Ala Asp Gly Lys Leu Phe Gln 20 25 30 Gly Arg Phe Asp Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Ile Asn Cys Arg Glu Met Asn Gln 35 40 45 Ser Ala Thr Glu Cys Ser Met Gln Asp Leu Ile Phe Ser Cys Trp Pro 50 55 60 Glu Pro Ser Ala Pro Leu Gln Glu Leu Ile Arg Val Pro Glu Arg Leu 65 70 75 80 Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Gly Phe Asp Glu Leu Lys Pro Ser Phe His Asp 85 90 95 Pro Gln Gly Pro Trp Cys Leu Cys Trp Glu Glu Lys Arg Pro Thr Glu 100 105 110 Leu Leu Leu Asn Ser Leu Ile Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Pro Glu Leu Ser 115 120 125 Leu Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Pro Thr Ala Leu Glu Lys Leu His Arg Leu 130 135 140 Leu Glu His Pro Arg His Val Glu Ile Leu Gly Phe Ser Glu Ala Glu 145 150 155 160 Arg Lys Glu Tyr Phe Tyr Lys Tyr Phe His Asn Ala Glu Gln Ala Gly 165 170 175 Gln Val Phe Asn Tyr Val Arg Asp Asn Glu Pro Leu Phe Thr 180 185 190 <210> SEQ ID NO 64 <211> LENGTH: 603 <212> TYPE: PRT <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 64 Pro Asn Gln Arg Gly Leu Cys Ser Leu Ala Ala Asp Gly Leu Trp Asn 1 5 10 15 Gln Lys Ile Leu Phe Glu Glu Gln Asp Leu Arg Lys His Gly Leu Asp 20 25 30 Gly Glu Asp Val Ser Ala Phe Leu Asn Met Asn Ile Phe Gln Lys Asp 35 40 45 Ile Asn Cys Glu Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Phe Ile His Leu Ser Phe Gln Glu 50 55 60 Phe Phe Ala Ala Met Tyr Tyr Ile Leu Asp Glu Gly Glu Gly Gly Ala 65 70 75 80 Gly Pro Asp Gln Asp Val Thr Arg Leu Leu Thr Glu Tyr Ala Phe Ser 85 90 95 Glu Arg Ser Phe Leu Ala Leu Thr Ser Arg Phe Leu Phe Gly Leu Leu 100 105 110 Asn Glu Glu Thr Arg Ser His Leu Glu Lys Ser Leu Cys Trp Lys Val 115 120 125 Ser Pro His Ile Lys Met Asp Leu Leu Gln Trp Ile Gln Ser Lys Ala 130 135 140 Gln Ser Asp Gly Ser Thr Leu Gln Gln Gly Ser Leu Glu Phe Phe Ser 145 150 155 160 Cys Leu Tyr Glu Ile Gln Glu Glu Glu Phe Ile Gln Gln Ala Leu Ser 165 170 175 His Phe Gln Val Ile Val Val Ser Asn Ile Ala Ser Lys Met Glu His 180 185 190 Met Val Ser Ser Phe Cys Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ser Ala Gln Val Leu 195 200 205 His Leu Tyr Gly Ala Thr Tyr Ser Ala Asp Gly Glu Asp Arg Ala Arg 210 215 220 Cys Ser Ala Gly Ala His Thr Leu Leu Val Gln Leu Arg Pro Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 Thr Val Leu Leu Asp Ala Tyr Ser Glu His Leu Ala Ala Ala Leu Cys 245 250 255 Thr Asn Pro Asn Leu Ile Glu Leu Ser Leu Tyr Arg Asn Ala Leu Gly 260 265 270 Ser Arg Gly Val Lys Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro Asn Cys 275 280 285 Lys Leu Gln Asn Leu Arg Leu Lys Arg Cys Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Ala 290 295 300 Cys Glu Asp Leu Ser Ala Ala Leu Ile Ala Asn Lys Asn Leu Thr Arg 305 310 315 320 Met Asp Leu Ser Gly Asn Gly Val Gly Phe Pro Gly Met Met Leu Leu 325 330 335 Cys Glu Gly Leu Arg His Pro Gln Cys Arg Leu Gln Met Ile Gln Leu 340 345 350 Arg Lys Cys Gln Leu Glu Ser Gly Ala Cys Gln Glu Met Ala Ser Val 355 360 365 Leu Gly Thr Asn Pro His Leu Val Glu Leu Asp Leu Thr Gly Asn Ala 370 375 380 Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly Leu Arg Leu Leu Cys Gln Gly Leu Arg His Pro 385 390 395 400 Val Cys Arg Leu Arg Thr Leu Trp Leu Lys Ile Cys Arg Leu Thr Ala 405 410 415 Ala Ala Cys Asp Glu Leu Ala Ser Thr Leu Ser Val Asn Gln Ser Leu 420 425 430 Arg Glu Leu Asp Leu Ser Leu Asn Glu Leu Gly Asp Leu Gly Val Leu 435 440 445 Leu Leu Cys Glu Gly Leu Arg His Pro Thr Cys Lys Leu Gln Thr Leu 450 455 460 Arg Leu Gly Ile Cys Arg Leu Gly Ser Ala Ala Cys Glu Gly Leu Ser 465 470 475 480 Val Val Leu Gln Ala Asn His Asn Leu Arg Glu Leu Asp Leu Ser Phe 485 490 495 Asn Asp Leu Gly Asp Trp Gly Leu Trp Leu Leu Ala Glu Gly Leu Gln 500 505 510 His Pro Ala Cys Arg Leu Gln Lys Leu Trp Leu Asp Ser Cys Gly Leu 515 520 525 Thr Ala Lys Ala Cys Glu Asn Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Gly Ile Asn Gln 530 535 540 Thr Leu Thr Asp Leu Tyr Leu Thr Asn Asn Ala Leu Gly Asp Thr Gly 545 550 555 560 Val Arg Leu Leu Cys Lys Arg Leu Ser His Pro Gly Cys Lys Leu Arg 565 570 575 Val Leu Trp Leu Phe Gly Met Asp Leu Asn Lys Met Thr His Ser Arg 580 585 590 Leu Ala Ala Leu Arg Val Thr Lys Pro Tyr Leu 595 600 

We claim:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD-containing polypeptide, comprising: (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOs: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of (a) under highly stringent conditions, where the nucleic acid molecule encodes a biologically active PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.
 2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, comprising a nucleotide sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NO: 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and
 27. 3. A vector containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 4. A recombinant cell containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 5. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD domain, comprising: (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD domain amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of (a) under highly stringent conditions, where the nucleic acid molecule encodes a biologically active PAAD domain.
 7. A vector containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 6. 8. A recombinant cell containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 6. 9. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an NB-ARC domain, comprising: (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the NB-ARC domain amino acid set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:37, 60, 62 or 63; (b) a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of (a) under highly stringent conditions, where the nucleic acid molecule encodes a biologically active NB-ARC domain.
 10. A vector containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 9. 11. A recombinant cell containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 9. 12. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an LRR domain, comprising: (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding the LRR domain amino acid set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:39, 61 or 64; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of (a) under highly stringent conditions, where the nucleic acid molecule encodes a biologically active LRR domain.
 13. A vector containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 12. 14. A recombinant cell containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 12. 15. An oligonucleotide comprising at least 17 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with the nucleotide sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 or the complement thereof.
 16. An oligonucleotide comprising at least 50 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with the nucleotide sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 or the complement thereof.
 17. An isolated PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28, wherein said polypeptide is a biologically active PAAD domain-containing polypeptide.
 18. The PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of claim 17, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or
 28. 19. An isolated PAAD domain polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10, wherein said polypeptide is a biologically active PAAD domain polypeptide.
 20. An isolated PAAD domain polypeptide, comprising the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or
 10. 21. An isolated NB-ARC domain polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:37, 60, 62 or 63, wherein said polypeptide is a biologically active NB-ARC domain polypeptide.
 22. An isolated NB-ARC domain polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:37, 60, 62 or
 63. 23. An isolated LRR domain polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:39, 61 or 64, wherein said polypeptide is a biologically active LRR domain polypeptide.
 24. An isolated LRR domain polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:39, 61 or
 64. 25. An isolated peptide comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOS:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or
 28. 26. A method of producing a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide comprising expressing the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 in vitro or in a cell under conditions suitable for expression of said polypeptide.
 27. An isolated anti-PAAD antibody having specific reactivity with the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of claim
 18. 28. The antibody of claim 27, wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
 29. A cell line producing the monoclonal antibody of claim
 29. 30. The antibody of claim 27, wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody.
 31. A method of identifying a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PAAD-containing polypeptide in a sample, said method comprising: contacting a sample containing nucleic acids with an oligonucleotide according to claim 15, wherein said contacting is effected under high stringency hybridization conditions, and identifying a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes thereto.
 32. A method of detecting the presence of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a sample, said method comprising contacting a test sample with an antibody according to claim 27, detecting the presence of an antibody:polypeptide complex, and thereby detecting the presence of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in said test sample.
 33. A method of identifying a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide-associated polypeptide (PAP) comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of claim 17 with a candidate PAP; (b) detecting association of said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with said candidate PAP, wherein a candidate PAP that associates with said polypeptide is identified as a PAP.
 34. A method of identifying a PAP comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the PAAD domain polypeptide of claim 19 with a candidate PAP; (b) detecting association of said PAAD domain polypeptide with said candidate PAP, wherein a candidate PAP that associates with said polypeptide is identified as a PAP.
 35. A method of identifying a PAP comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the NB-ARC domain polypeptide of claim 21 with a candidate PAP; (b) detecting association of said NB-ARC polypeptide with said candidate PAP, wherein a candidate PAP that associates with said polypeptide is identified as a PAP.
 36. A method of identifying a PAP comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the LRR domain polypeptide of claim 23 with a candidate PAP; (b) detecting association of said LRR polypeptide with said candidate PAP, wherein a candidate PAP that associates with said polypeptide is identified as a PAP.
 37. A method of identifying an effective agent that alters the association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide-associated polypeptide (PAP), comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of claim 17, or a PAAD, NB-ARC or LRR domain therefrom, and said PAP under conditions that allow said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or said fragment and said PAP to associate, with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting the altered association of said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide or domain with said PAP, wherein an agent that alters said association is identified as an effective agent.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said PAP is selected from the group consisting of ASC, ASC2, Caspase-1, Card10, Nod1, NIK, IKK-i, IκBα and IKAP.
 39. A method of identifying an agent that associates with a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the PAAD domain-containing polypeptide of claim 17 with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting association of said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with said agent.
 40. A method of identifying an agent that associates with a PAAD domain polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the PAAD domain polypeptide of claim 19 with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting association of said PAAD domain polypeptide with said agent.
 41. A method of identifying an agent that associates with a NB-ARC domain polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the NB-ARC domain polypeptide of claim 21 with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting association of said NB-ARC domain polypeptide with said agent.
 42. A method of identifying an agent that associates with a LRR domain polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the LRR domain polypeptide of claim 23 with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting association of said LRR domain polypeptide with said agent.
 43. A method of identifying an agent that modulates PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a cell that recombinantly expresses a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting NFκB activity in said cell, whereas increased or decreased NFκB activity in said cell compared to a control cell indicates that said candidate agent is an agent that modulates PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFκB activity.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein said PAAD domain polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS:1-14.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein said PAAD domain polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth as any of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10, wherein said polypeptide is a biologically active PAAD domain polypeptide.
 46. The method of claim 43, wherein said cell is contacted with or recombinantly expresses an inducer of NFκB activity.
 47. A method of identifying an agent that modulates an activity of a NB-ARC domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the NB-ARC domain polypeptide of claim 21 with a candidate agent; and (b) detecting an activity of said NB-ARC domain, whereby an increase or decrease of said activity identifies said agent as an agent that modulates the activity of the NB-ARC domain of said PAAD domain-containing polypeptide; wherein the detected activity of said NB-ARC domain is selected from homo-oligomerization, hetero-oligomerization, nucleotide hydrolysis, and nucleotide binding.
 48. A method of modulating NFκB transcriptional activity in a cell, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the nucleic acid molecule of claim 5 into a cell; and (b) expressing said nucleic acid molecule in said cell, whereby the expression of said nucleic acid modulates NFκB transcriptional activity in said cell.
 49. A method of decreasing expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell, comprising introducing an antisense or dsRNA nucleic molecule into a cell, wherein said antisense or dsRNA nucleic molecule binds to any of SEQ ID NOS:15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and
 27. 